By davisr (Rhonda)
I am revising and completing a novel I began on this site last year. Some or much will be changed as I've learned much from my FanStory friends. I am re-posting the beginning chapters since I'm making changes. New ones will follow where I left off. Thank you for reading (again).
The story begins:
Cadence Uriel heard distinct sounds of a fight. There were angry cries, the thudding of fists on flesh, and responding groans of pain. She couldn't see much due to an unexpected snowstorm, but could tell by the shouting voices there were at least three or four combatants. With more reaction than forethought, she sprang into full teacher mode, her voice piercing the storm.
"What's going on here?"
She might as well have said, "Don't make me have to call a principal," because it elicited the same conditioned response.
There were a few more thrown punches, pride always called for that, and then rapidly retreating footsteps.
"Yeah, I thought so," Cadence said, and then added in a grumble, "Why is it that even a blizzard is incapable of curbing mankind's baser nature?"
Before going much further, she stumbled across the groaning figure of a man on the sidewalk.
"Oh my gosh," she said, and knelt and touched him on the shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Another moan, inaudible, yet insistent. Cadence shook his arm.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"No."
"You sound like you're in pain. What happened?"
"I... was... robbed."
"Oh man, uh... let me call the police." Cadence pulled her cell phone from her pocket.
"No, no, just help me to my feet and let me go my way. I don't do cops."
"But you clearly need help. I can see you're bruised and bleeding. At least let me call for an ambulance."
"I know you are trying to help, but, please, put away your phone."
"Okay," Cadence said, "but it goes against my better nature."
"I know. Just help me up. I appreciate you stopping. Many would have walked past in this terrible storm."
"I'm just glad I saw you. Here, take my hand."
Cadence put her phone away and reached out to the old man. She braced her feet as best she could on the slippery sidewalk and they struggled upwards. It wasn't an easy task, but eventually they both ended up vertical.
"Thank you, again, young lady," the man said. He put out a hand and braced himself against the wall.
"You are quite welcome."
Cadence looked upward at a very tall, very solidly built man. Even through swirling snow, she could tell he had strong features in a wizened face. His head was covered with a green knitted cap that had been knocked askew by his recent fight, and black curly hair mixed with gray spilled out.
"Can I help you find your car?" Cadence offered.
"I don't have one. I came by bus."
"Then let me help you to the bus stop."
"It's too late."
"What do you mean, it's only 6:15? I'm sure there will be another bus soon."
"That's not what I mean." The man hesitated as though picking his words carefully. "I was supposed to meet a man down the street who was going to give me money for a package I was delivering."
"Then let's find him and give it to him," Cadence said. She shivered as she pulled her coat tightly against the blasts of wind and snow.
She was cold and had been since she parked her yellow Volkswagen Beetle beside the road on Main Street in Ellicott City. She had been heading to a store located on the corner of Maryland Avenue. She had an appointment at six o'clock with an investor who had promised to make a generous donation to her school's toy drive.
When she first arrived in town, there was a gentle powdering of snowflakes that kissed her nose and cheeks like so many snow fairies. They tantalized her senses, and invoked poignant seasonal memories, but with each step she took towards her goal, the more intense and angry the snowstorm grew. Now, standing there with a stranger, it was all she could do to see two inches in front of her.
"I can't give the package to him, I don't have it," the man said, shivering visibly. "Those jerks who jumped me took it with them when they ran. Man, they hit me pretty hard. I don't usually go down that easily."
"I'm sure you don't," Cadence said. "What's your name?"
"I've had several over the years," he said, "but at the shelter, they call me, C-Daddy."
"C-Daddy?"
"It's a long story."
"I'm sure it is. Well, C-Daddy, how about if I drive you to the hospital myself? They have to treat you whether you have the money to pay or not."
"No, thank you. As I said, I'm happy you stopped to help, and I appreciate the concern, but I really don't need your help. I don't like doctors any more than I do police or ambulances."
"They ask too many questions?"
"No, they don't know what they're doing."
"Right... " Cadence shook her head and pulled out a small coin purse. With an audible snap, she opened it. "You can at least let me pay for your bus fare. How much is it?"
"Two dollars and forty five cents with my senior discount," he said, "but I won't take it from you. I insist on earning my money."
"Great." Cadence sighed and snapped her purse shut. "You aren't going to make this easy, are you?"
| Author Notes |
A special thanks for the artwork, "Ice Queen" by angelina onofrio
This is a fantasy novel about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a substantial sum of money earmarked to help her group fulfill Christmas dreams. Fighting against a group of immortals who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair, they seek to reach their protect their vision of hope. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
This is the end of the last post:
{The man was obviously eccentric, but seemed to be in control of his faculties. She pulled a small coin purse out and snapped it open, "but you can at least let me pay for your bus fare. How much is it?"
"About five dollars," he replied, "but I won't take it from you. I insist on earning my money."
"Great," Cadence sighed, snapping her purse shut. This just wasn't going to be easy, was it?}
*****
"Then maybe you can earn it by helping me find my way to a meeting I was supposed to attend about fifteen minutes ago," Cadence suggested.
"Where is it?" C-Daddy asked hesitantly, his trembling voice betraying a desire to help despite his weakened condition.
"At the end of the road," she replied, "and right beside a bus stop I saw before this crazy snowstorm started."
"I can do that," he agreed, taking her offered hand for support, and holding on tightly as they stumbled towards their goal.
"So, how did you get the name, C-Daddy?" Cadence asked, trying to make conversation.
"You'll have to ask the folks at the shelter," C-Daddy replied evasively. "There are a lot of interesting people in there, and they all have their stories."
"What is yours?" Cadence asked, not really expecting an answer.
C-Daddy seemed to be taken off-guard by her question. A flicker in his eyes betrayed his surprise, which Cadence happened to catch as he looked her way.
"Sometimes a person starts down one road and ends up travelling in quite a different direction," he said by way of explanation, "often without realizing that the road forked off at all."
"My life has done that a few times, too," she commented quietly.
For a brief, painful, moment she allowed herself to think about an incident fifteen years previous when she had been a teenage mom and chose to place her beautiful baby boy up for adoption. She didn't regret her decision as she knew that she wasn't in any condition to raise a child at the time, but there was still an aching chasm in her heart left by the black-haired child she would never raise.
"I'm sorry for whatever pain you've gone through," C-Daddy said with quick perception, "but I guess it means you understand why I'm not very trusting of strangers."
"Probably," Cadence allowed, "but I have tried not to let it define my life."
"Nor me, but I have my reasons."
"I'm sure you do," Cadence said. "So, I guess from your name that you have children?"
"We all do," he responded, waving his hand in a circular motion intending to include an indeterminate amount of people.
"I understand that. I'm a teacher."
"I sort of figured that," C-Daddy said. "You act like one. So, who is this man you are supposed to meet?"
"His name is Nick Collins," Cadence answered, pulling at her sleeve with freezing fingers to look at her watch. "He was supposed to donate money to a toy drive my students and I are sponsoring at Benjamin Franklin High School. He told me to be there at 6:00, but I'm hoping he waited on account of the weather."
"Oh, I hope I didn't mess up your plans," C-Daddy sighed, rubbing a hand across his tender scalp, and pausing in their trek down the sidewalk. "Getting gifts to children is so important this time of year."
"It wasn't your fault," Cadence said. "Whether or not he chose to wait was entirely his own decision. You certainly didn't plan to get mugged and left on the frozen ground."
"You are quite right there," C-Daddy agreed, his spinning head causing him to stumble with almost every step. "Although I'm not sure anyone ever really does, you know."
"True," Cadence agreed, holding tightly to his arm and guiding him safely forward. He wasn't heavy, really, in spite of his stature, and they began to make their careful way forward.
To her extreme relief, the image of a bus stop loomed ahead, indicating the end of the lane, and the appearance of the shop where Nick Collins was supposed to meet her.
"Looks like we are here," Cadence announced, guiding C-Daddy to a bench underneath an awning. "Just sit here and I will go find Mr. Collins."
"I can't sit and wait while you take off in the storm," he sputtered. "I insist on seeing you completely to your donor. Either I'll earn the bus money fairly or I won't take it at all."
"But you are seriously injured," Cadence protested. The older man simply folded his arms across his broad chest and raised a stubborn eyebrow.
"Oh, okay," Cadence agreed, trying to be patient. She didn't want to tell him that she could make better time without having to keep him on his feet. "Look, the store is here close-by. We will just go in and see the owner and then you can leave."
"Well, as soon as I know you are safe," C-Daddy corrected. "I already got jumped, and I don't want to see it happen to you, too."
"Of course not," Cadence agreed. She wasn't sure what C-Daddy thought he was going to do if they were to show back up. He hadn't offered much help for himself earlier.
When they reached the shop door, she noticed that it was decorated in the typical red and green of the season, complete with flashing lights and a wreath. Beneath the decoration was a unique painting that drew her attention. Even through the snow, she could see a very moving image of Santa Claus in his sleigh flying over the rooftops of Baltimore.
This Santa was a bit different from the many others gracing windows throughout the city. He was leaner, almost athletic, with ageless piercing eyes that made a person feel as though he was alive and checking each heart for naughty or niceness.
Flying above Santa was an angel of extraordinary beauty. Again, the image was not typical. This one seemed almost human, her outspread arms sheltered unsuspecting inhabitants below. Above the figures and the wreath, painted in sparkling silver and gold paint, was the name of the store, "Destiny's Angel".
There was the faint aroma of spiced apple cider and warm cupcakes easing through cracks in the door. Cadence touched the glass, almost reverently, and find it warm and welcoming. For a moment, she didn't feel quite as cold and anxious. Peering through the door, she could barely make out the small glow of a candle, and nothing else. She tentatively pressed down on the handle, but It wouldn't budge.
"It doesn't look like anyone is there," C-Daddy observed after Cadence stepped back in frustration. He leaned weakly against the warm door. He reached out and took her hand.
"I'm sorry," he said, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Cadence looked down and noticed that his hand and knuckles were as bruised as his face. Apparently he had fought back against his attackers. As he was a large man, Cadence couldn't help but wonder what damage he had meted out on the muggers.
"Oh, well, it happens," she sighed, turning loose of his hand and bouncing back down onto her heels.
"Yeah, it looks like it happened to both of us," C-Daddy commented as they made their way carefully back to the bus stop bench.
"It sure does," Cadence nodded. "Who was the man you were supposed to deliver the package to, anyway? It would be funny if it was the same person I was supposed to meet."
"You know, I don't quite remember his name," C-Daddy admitted. "My head is a bit foggy on the details after taking a few shots back there, but he was supposed to meet me at the end of the street. Maybe it was the same guy, like you said. If so, it's been as bad a day for him as it has been for us."
"Good point," Cadence chuckled. "If you are having problems with your memory, do you remember where you live?"
"Yes, that I do," he nodded, sitting down now on the bench. "I'm banged up and sore, but my homing device is still intact."
"Good," Cadence said, handing him a five dollar bill and a card from her purse with her phone number etched on the front beneath the words, "Representative of Benjamin Franklin High School". It was the one she gave out to potential donors for all the drives she and the Student Council ran. "Call me when you can and let me know how you are."
"I will indeed, little lady," C-Daddy nodded, taking both. "But just so you know, I still owe you for the money. I might not be able to help you like I want right now, but I will someday, and you have my promise on that."
"I'll take it," Cadence agreed shaking the tall man's trembling hand, and turning back down the lane to return to her car.
Cadence walked this time with her back to the wind, which had died down considerably. It wasn't long before she passed a Santa ringing a bell, perhaps the only other person not afraid to brave nature's unprecedented onslaught. She walked over and dropped some change in his bucket. He smiled in surprise and wished her a, "Very Merry Christmas", after which she replied in turn.
| Author Notes |
A special thanks to delenaloyd for her artwork, Snow Storm Brewing
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
"No," Cadence explained with exasperation, "I did not get the donation."
"Why not?" Shanice asked. "I thought you told us in the text you sent after school yesterday that a man, a banker or something, was supposed to donate money."
"I missed the appointment, and I have no idea what his job is, besides owning a store in Ellicott City," Cadence explained to her Student Council President.
Shanice was a beautiful young lady by anyone's standards, and kind to everyone she knew, both attributes of which made her wildly popular with the other students. Her attitude and brilliance made her equally popular with teachers. She was tall and willowy, with beautiful curls that were immaculately coiffed, and outlined a soft and well sculptured face.
"It was cold; it was snowing, and I tripped over this old guy who had just been mugged," Cadence continued. "I think he was homeless or something."
"How hard did you fall?" Leonardo, the Vice President, broke in from where he slouched in his seat.
"Not hard. I didn't actually hit the ground," Cadence explained, "although I did bang my shin on something, but that's not why I missed the meeting."
"Why did you, then?" Mia, the Secretary, asked.
Mia was African American, just like Shanice, but was shorter and thicker about the waist. Her curls she kept pulled back into a no-nonsense bun, which fit her stoic personality. She wasn't as popular as Shanice, but was fine with working from the background.
"Because I stopped to help the man," Cadence explained. "It's what you do, you know, when you find someone in need."
"We're not saying you shouldn't have helped the old dude," Leonardo explained, "it's just that there are always people getting mugged around here, and you shouldn't put yourself in danger to help them. You call the cops, they show up to help and you go about your way."
"Especially when that means you can't help lots of other people because you missed your appointment," Sarah, the treasurer, pointed out quietly.
"And you shouldn't have been out there alone, anyways," Leonardo scolded. "A little white woman on the street's an easy mark. You should have waited for one of us."
"I was in Ellicott City, not downtown Baltimore," Cadence sighed, "besides, if the streets weren't safe for me, then they weren't for you, either, and that's not the point anyway."
"Right," Sarah agreed. "Point is, Miss. Uriel didn't get the money, and it wasn't completely her fault."
"Thanks, Sarah," Cadence smiled, shaking her head wearily.
"Well, we can still work this out," Shanice offered. "All you have to do is call this Nick guy back and set up another appointment. No problem. If he was generous enough to make the offer once then maybe he won't mind resetting, especially when you explain that whole sad story about the mugged guy."
"I can't," Cadence admitted with chagrin. "He didn't exactly leave a phone number."
"Oh, and you didn't find that suspicious?" Leonardo asked, his soft golden eyes flashing.
Tall for his age, the young Hispanic teen was fiercely protective of anyone he felt was family, extended or otherwise.
"Sort of," Cadence replied, "but I figured he had just overlooked it. He was, after all, offering a lot of money."
Leonardo didn't answer, leaving his silence to voice his distrust.
"And," Cadence continued, "Mr. Collins said that there were several people who wanted the money, and that it was a, 'whoever showed up on time' sort of thing."
"That doesn't sound like sound financial practice," Sarah pointed out.
Sarah, the only Anglo in the group, was the tiniest and most fragile, but wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Unlike her fellow officers, Sarah had grown up privileged. She lived in the middle of Baltimore's poorer district because her family had fallen on hard times.
"He's rich," Leonardo commented sardonically, like that explained everything.
Rich people in economically disadvantaged areas are often distrusted, if not outright despised, and Leonardo's opinion was no exception.
"Well, even more reason to carry on his business professionally," Sarah insisted.
"I agree," Cadence said, "but that doesn't really matter, does it? I mean, last year we didn't have any extra money, and we did just fine."
"That's right," Mia agreed. "We'll have our usual competition between the classes and have the students bring in new and used toys; you know, whatever they can afford. Kids around here don't care if the toys aren't new."
"I'm good with that," Leonardo said, and then his voice lowered, betraying emotion. "You know, I was one of the kids that got toys from here when I was a little kid -- toys that you collected, Miss. Uriel. That's why I decided to become a part of Student Council in the first place. We don't need that man's money to make a difference to kids."
"I didn't realize that about you," Cadence said softly, "but I'm glad you joined us, and you are quite right, we are capable of running our toy drive as we always have. Still I'm not ready to give up on Mr. Collins yet. The last time he called was after 4:00 and it is only 3:45 right now. Maybe he will still call."
"Well, I'm going to stay and see what happens," Shanice announced, folding her arms in front of her chest determinedly.
The others in the group voiced their desire to stay as well. They may have debated the wisdom of pursuing the offer, but the whole thing represented an adventure, and they were young and courageous enough to feel challenged by it.
"I have no problem with you staying, but how will you get home safely?" Cadence asked a bit hesitantly.
"I've got a car," Leonardo announced, holding up a new set of keys as proof. "I told you that this morning, Miss. You told me, 'Wow, cool, now you can drive places for us'. Come on, you seriously need to get it together today."
"I remember now." Cadence chuckled. "I guess I am a bit distracted, it's just that I have so much on my mind. Not only did I miss my meeting, but I have that huge bruise on my shin that's throbbing."
"Gotta watch that snow," Shanice pointed out with a smile.
"And bums on the street," Mia added, her face, as often the case, was calm and stoic.
"Now, we don't really know that he was a bum," Cadence reminded them. "He could have just been a bit down on his luck."
"He could be in a lot of bad luck if what he had in that package was as valuable as it seems," Leonardo stated. "Folks 'round these parts get pretty ticked when people lose their stuff."
"Are you suggesting there was something illegal in that package?" Cadence asked, looking at Leonardo doubtfully.
"I don't know what was in it," Leonardo retorted. "Just saying, if that old guy got beat up for it, then maybe it had something in it that wasn't quite legit. This ain't some little country town, Miss, and not everyone is as innocent as you want them to be."
"And not everyone is up to no good," Cadence countered, looking reproachfully at the young man.
Cadence knew that many of the children in the area were exposed to drugs and violence at an early age. She was trying to change their outlook when and where she could. The reality was, she knew he was probably right.
"Even nice people can be forced to do things if they are hungry enough," Mia said matter-of-factly.
"Or if they are offered enough money," Leonardo added.
"Are you trying to say that everyone has their price?" Cadence asked.
"We mean that in hard times, people have to make hard choices," Leonardo clarified.
"I understand that," Cadence said, "and that's why I'm always telling you students to get an education. It tends to increase your level of choices."
"We know," Leonardo said, "but change isn't easy, Miss."
"And," Mia added, sort of glancing Sarah's way, "even rich people can lose their jobs and need help."
"Well said," Cadence nodded, "and way too true. I'm afraid a lot of lawyers and financial wizards got a rude awakening when they lost their 6 figure incomes in the recent financial market crisis."
"We've been studying about that in history class," Shanice said, her eyes brightening in recognition. "It started in 2007, didn't it?"
"Yeah," Mia agreed. "That's what Mr. Williams said."
"History?" Cadence snorted unattractively. "Already it is history? I guess 9/11 is too."
"Yeah," Shanice said. "I know all of you adults were really affected by it, but we were just little kids when it happened. All we know is what we hear in stories."
"And study in history class," Mia reiterated.
"I guess I know what older people feel like when they talk about Pearl Harbor," Cadence said. "We just don't want the younger generation to forget."
"We forget nothing," Leonardo stated, crossing his arms, "but our lives here in Baltimore, and out on the streets, are all just the same one way or the other. The world is at war, but we are at war in the 'hood', too, and that's why you didn't need to be out walking alone, and why I don't trust what that old dude had in his package."
"Point taken," Cadence said, and then was cut off from further comment by the dramatic ringing of her classroom phone. Fifteen minutes had passed by and the Student Council group had barely felt it.
For a moment, everyone sat and stared at the phone like it was a Poltergeist, afraid, it seemed, to move. Then, as if in one motion, they leapt to their feet and rushed towards it. Cadence reached it first and pressed the button on the speaker. Immediately, they heard a deep mellow voice.
Cadence recognized his distinctive voice immediately, and indicated so by pointing at the phone and mouthing, "it's him".
"Good afternoon," the man said, his powerful voice permeating the room. "I hope all is well after our missed meeting yesterday."
"I'm fine," Cadence replied, her tone professional. "We all are. The students and I were just discussing that meeting and hoping that you would call and reschedule."
"And give us a second chance," Leonardo interjected. "Our teacher got waylaid by an old dude on the pavement."
"I heard about that," Mr. Collins said, "and I am sorry that it happened. I sincerely hope you were not injured, Miss. Uriel.
"Not much," she replied. "Just a little bruise from slipping on the ice. I'm fine, really."
"That's good," Mr. Collins responded. "So maybe you wouldn't mind helping me with something rather important. It will help make up for your tardiness, and guarantee that your group gets the donation I offered before."
"What do you have in mind?" Cadence asked cautiously.
"Well, it seems that the, 'old dude,' you chanced upon was a courier that was supposed to deliver a package of extreme importance to me yesterday. In it was an object of such great value that I could not possibly afford to part with any money until I receive it intact."
"See, I told you," Leonardo whispered, nudging Mia with his elbow and pointing towards the phone. "Folks don't like to lose their stuff."
Cadence heard his comment, and put her finger to her lips to indicate that she wanted him to be quiet. He shrugged his shoulders as though he might be quiet, but still believed his theory. She shrugged her shoulders back.
"How can I help?" Cadence asked into the speaker phone.
"We help?" Leonardo corrected, loud enough for everyone, including Nick Collins, to hear.
"Well," Nick began slowly. "I was hoping that you would track the older gentleman down and retrieve the package he lost."
Cadence had no idea what Nick Collins looked like, but pictured a small thin man with partially balding hair, leaning forward onto folded hands.
"He said he was mugged and the package stolen," Cadence spoke up. "I, personally, saw that he was badly beaten. I'm pretty confident that he doesn't know where your package is."
"I disagree," Mr. Collins stated, his voice taking on an urgent tone. "He might have received a beating, and the package taken from him, but I'm willing to bet that he knows exactly who took it and where it might be found."
"That may be," Cadence said, "but he didn't leave me with any contact information. Don't you know where to find him?"
"I wasn't the one who hired him," Mr. Collins replied.
"Then maybe you should ask whoever did," Mia suggested from the background.
"I can't," Mr. Collins explained curtly. "It seems the sender is away on urgent business. You are my only hope."
"I don't know," Cadence hesitated. "This seems pretty shady to me. Maybe you should call the police or hire a private investigator."
"I will do neither," Mr. Collins insisted, his voice rising in intensity. "I have asked you for help, and don't have time to waste training anyone else . Now, do you want the donation for your toy drive or not?"
"I will have to think it over," Cadence decided. "I'm not even sure if I can find C-Daddy, let alone convince him to find a package he got beat up trying to deliver."
"C-Daddy?" Nick scoffed. "Was that the courier's name?"
"That's what he told me," Cadence replied, "and I didn't press him."
"You have until Saturday at noon," Nick stated, ending the discussion. "Meet me at my store in Ellicott City, and don't be late or the deal is off."
"I will be there no matter what decision I make," Cadence retorted, hanging up the phone. She didn't plan to banter with the man.
"As I said," Leonardo spoke first, "people will do about anything for money."
"I didn't tell him I would do it," Cadence said defensively. "Besides, it's not like he's asking me to do anything illegal."
"And you know this, how?" Leonardo asked.
"He just wants us to find the man who was supposed to deliver a package," Cadence explained weakly.
"I agree with Leo," Mia interjected. "It does seem a bit suspicious."
"He offered the money before the whole C-Daddy thing happened," Cadence reminded them.
"Then if he's on the up and up," Shanice spoke up, "he should go ahead and make his donation."
"How much did he offer anyway?" Sarah asked, her pen poised over a sheet of paper.
Cadence hesitated as she looked around the room at the Student Council officers, and then glanced over at her wall of honor, noticing the many certificates and awards that graced its surface. The Student Council had achieved much since she took over ten years ago. She had dreamed for years of having enough money to reach large numbers of needy children -- children like Leo, who had nothing.
"Five hundred thousand," she enunciated, to the collective gasps of her students.
One by one, they lifted their eyes and looked at Cadence, disbelief written on their faces. Half a million was clearly more than they had expected, more than they could even comprehend. Only Sarah, to whom such numbers had once been a part of life, smiled and nodded.
"Just found my price," Leonardo finally spoke up.
No one spoke for just a moment while the enormity of what they both said sank in.
"So, have you changed your mind about finding C-Daddy, then?" Cadence asked.
"Oh, yeah," Leo stated, sitting upright, his golden eyes alight with adventure. "As I said, I have a car, and plenty of connections on the street."
"Hold on, Leo," Cadence cautioned. "If we take on this challenge, we do it the right way. We don't involve anyone's connections. I would rather turn it down then to encourage you to make bad choices."
"Not all my connections are shady," Leo defended, "but point taken."
"I vote, yes, too," Shanice responded, shaking her head and giggling. "That's more money than even I can think of a way to spend."
"Not me," Mia said. "I could make a long list of things to get for the needy, and programs to invest in."
"It would make great seed money," Sarah added. "It takes money to make money, and if we invest it wisely, we could fund programs for years."
"Just think how much hope we would bring to the community," Shanice smiled brightly. "Miss Uriel, this is so exciting."
"Slow down, guys. I'm happy that you are on board with everything and all," Cadence said, holding up a warning hand, "but we still have to think it through. Like you said, we don't know either man."
The group sat awhile and said nothing. They had just been offered an enormous sum of money to do something that wasn't illegal, but certainly wasn't safe. After a bit, Cadence spoke up.
"I'm going to go ahead and meet with Mr. Collins Saturday and have a chat. If he can give me information I'm comfortable with then I will agree to look into finding his courier. Maybe if he knows I'm putting forth an effort, he will go ahead and donate the money. Sometimes rich people need a little encouragement."
"I can't argue there," Sarah agreed. Her own mother had ditched her father when he lost his money, leaving him with two kids to raise by himself and very little money to do it on.
"Miss Uriel," Shanice interrupted. "I don't think it's safe for you to go to the meeting alone, but what If we all go together, and then fan out once we get there? That way no one is really in danger and we can all be part of the meeting."
"And I can have some of my buddies stationed around the street for extra protection," Leo added, "and I mean my real friends, not the shady ones, Miss."
"Okay," Cadence agreed with the flash of a grin. "What about the rest of you?"
"We're in," Shanice answered for the group again, "but I say we look this Nick Collins guy up on google first. If the internet hasn't heard of him, he doesn't exist."
"I've just done that," Cadence stated, holding up a sheet she had just printed off her computer. "It says that he is a retired businessman out of Baltimore who made millions in the Stock Market, and works now as a small store owner and philanthropist."
"Did it list him as a possible serial killer," Mia asked, "or say that he is quirky or something?"
"It didn't say, quirky, exactly," Cadence explained, "but he seems to be a bit illusive. However, there is no known link to him for any unsolved murders in the Baltimore area."
"Or anywhere else?" Shanice asked.
"Nor anywhere I could find."
"So you looked," Leo pointed out, an eyebrow arched knowingly.
"Of course," she replied, laying the paper on her desk dramatically. "So, meet you here tomorrow at 9am, go for breakfast, and then make our way to Ellicott City. All in raise your hand."
They all did.
| Author Notes |
Special Thanks to CDFisher for the wonderful artwork!
Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Cadence parked her Volkswagen a few stores down from the little shop, Destiny's Angel. The weather, this time, was accommodating, allowing a clear view of both sides of the street. Before getting out and heading to her destination, Cadence paused a few brief moments to absorb the atmosphere of Historic Ellicott City, Maryland.
She could see Holiday shoppers scampering about excitedly, carrying large plastic bags teaming with seasonal purchases. The various colored stores sported decorations of all variety and hues, lending a festive aura to Cadence's big adventure. If not for the seriousness of her mission, she might have relaxed and enjoyed herself.
Moments later, Cadence detached from her visual journey. She and her Student Council officers climbed out of the car and then headed separate ways, each following a well-orchestrated plan.
Cadence approached Destiny's Angel warily, pausing once she reached the door. Almost subconsciously, she ran a hand lightly across its surface and sighed, as though this simple act would give her the courage she needed to face her mysterious donor.
Twinkling lights still graced the door in all their Christmas glory, and the strange Santa seemed to be looking straight at her. Floating above him, the angel in the gossamer gown looked at Cadence as though she harbored a deep secret. Cadence marveled at the detail the artist had taken on a drawing that would be removed as soon as the Christmas season was over.
"That is so beautiful," Shanice whispered, joining her at the door. "Nick Collins might be a strange guy, but he does know his art."
"It is nice, but there is something strange about it, too."
"What are you two looking at?" A voice asked from behind.
"Not you, too," Cadence complained, turning to look at the newly arrived Mia. "I told both of you that I wanted to meet with Mr. Collins alone."
"Miss," Shanice defended, "there is strength in numbers."
"And I definitely smell cupcakes coming from out of this store," Mia added. "We couldn't allow you to go in there by yourself when there are clearly cupcakes involved."
"Of course not," Cadence stated, sarcasm beginning to replace patience. "So, where are Sarah and Leonardo?"
"They're out there," Shanice answered, motioning with her arm towards the sidewalks. "Someone has to organize the other Student Council members. So, what's going on in there?"
"I don't know, yet," Cadence admitted. "I haven't even opened the door. It looks like it might be closed."
Shanice, the tallest of the group, peered through the space between Santa's red-capped head and the bottom of the angel's lacy gown. All she could see was what Cadence had seen the night before; a single candle glowing upon a table. In the shadows antique looking objects began to appear as shadowy images across the room.
"Let's go in," Shanice urged. "We don't want you to be late this time."
"Okay, but let me go first," Cadence insisted. "I don't like the fact that we can't see anyone in there, and that you two were supposed to wait on me ."
*****
Directly across the road from Destiny's Angel, Leo sat alone in a softly tinted gold Mustang watching the front door of the store like a lion guarding his den. He had several Student Council members strategically placed around town where they could materialize if needed. Unbeknownst to Miss. Uriel, a few other friends had shown up to help, too -- ones he could not admit to his favorite teacher were part of his circle of friends.
A few stores down, Sarah waited pensively on a bench. She was bundled snugly in a warm fur-lined coat that her mother had given her in a happier time. It was one of the luxuries her father had chosen not to sell when times grew tough. Like Leonardo, she refused to be sidetracked by the many available distractions in the town, or to enter Destiny's Angel before the designated time.
Cadence glanced quickly at both Leo and Sarah and nodded so that they knew she was aware they were there before she reached to turn the knob, but though she grasped it firmly, it resisted.
"He knew we were coming," Cadence muttered. "Why lock the store?"
"Back up," Mia said, squeezing her way through.
Grabbing the handle with both hands, she twisted as hard as she could, and the knob yielded.
"Gotta put some effort into it," she explained, swinging open the heavy door.
A soft overhead light flickered on upon their entry, exposing a room sparsely stocked with items that had the look and smell of antiques. Not to anyone's surprise, there were no people visible anywhere, but wafting across to them from a counter was the distinct aroma of freshly baked Christmas treats and warm apple cider laced with cinnamon. Cadence took in a deep refreshing breath, as though the scent had healing powers. She noticed the girls doing the same. It almost made her less perturbed that they had chosen to ignore her orders and enter the store with her.
With a wry smile that bordered on grimace, Cadence strolled over to the counter hoping to find some evidence of the owner. Instead, she found a plate of freshly baked cupcakes with multi-colored icing, and a carafe of apple cider. Beside them sat several empty coffee cups and an envelope with her name on it.
Cadence picked up the envelope, noticing strong artistic writing on its surface. She held it up to her nose and breathed in the scent of candied yams. Did everything in this store have to smell like Christmas?
"What's that?" Mia asked, reaching for a cupcake and glass of cider.
"I'm guessing it's a note for me," she replied.
"Read it," Shanice urged when she noticed Cadence hesitate.
"I was about to," Cadence responded. "I just find this whole situation weird. Nick should have been here."
"Maybe he explains everything in the note," Mia offered.
Cadence nodded in agreement, and then tore open the envelope, her fingers trembling at the seam. Carefully, she pulled out a folded piece of paper, and smoothed it out on the counter next to the plate of cupcakes. All three bent over to look.
"You've got to be kidding me," Cadence said, slapping her hand on her forehead.
| Author Notes |
Special thanks to Dick Lee Shia for his artwork, Christmas Angel.
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Ending of last post:
*****
Cadence nodded in agreement, and then tore open the envelope, her fingers trembling at the seam. Carefully, she pulled out a folded piece of paper, and smoothed it out on the counter next to the plate of cupcakes. All three bent over to look.
"You've got to be kidding me," Cadence said, slapping her hand on her forehead.
*****
The note began in the same unique handwriting that addressed the envelope, and gave Cadence a cold chill that raised the hair on her arms. It seemed to match the commanding voice of Mr. Collins, and she wasn't even sure why it did.
"Sorry to miss you again," it began, "but this time it's my fault. I have gone to check out a lead on the package. If you go next door to the store, Time and Time Again, you can talk to my son, Charles. He will instruct you further in your task. If you choose to take on the challenge, I wish you luck. If you do not, then I will understand that the assignment is out of your comfort zone and that you would be better suited to wait for other types of donations."
Cadence dropped her hand from her forehead and growled in frustration.
"What on Earth is that supposed to mean?" She asked. "What do you two think?"
A mumbling was heard as the girls reread the note, partially to themselves and partially out loud. Finally they looked up puzzled.
"Sounds like a challenge to me," Mia decided.
"Sounds like the run-a-round," Shanice disagreed.
"He's definitely rich," Mia stated, once more expressing the prevalent attitude of her peers.
"I can't argue with you there." Cadence nodded. "But it still leaves us with a difficult choice, and with no chance to quiz Nick about the contents of the package."
They all turned as they heard the door open with an audible pop. Leo strode in with a look of concern on his face, followed closely by Sarah.
"What's going on?" Leo asked.
"I thought you two were on duty," Cadence responded, raising an eyebrow dramatically.
"And I thought Shanice and Mia were supposed to be, too," Leonardo countered. "What's up with that?"
"We were curious," Shanice explained.
"And we were worried when you guys went into a dark store and didn't come back out." Sarah ended the debate.
"And where's this Nick guy?" Leo spoke up. "He's the one who was all demanding we be here on time."
"Apparently called away on some urgent business," Cadence answered. "We got this note telling us to go next door and talk to his son, Charles."
She held the slip of paper up for him and Sarah to see.
"Now that's just wrong," Sarah said with exasperation. "Can't he simply act professional?"
"Doesn't look like it," Mia replied. "He cut out like my Uncle Melvin when the rent's due."
Cadence barely suppressed a smile as she looked around at her students.
"It is getting rather frustrating trying to connect with the man," she finally said.
Leo took the note and read it for himself. A dark look came over his face, and In his usual non verbal way, communicated disapproval with silence.
"Well," Cadence began, "he's the one with the money to give away. I guess that gives him the right to be eccentric."
"Maybe," Mia allowed, "but he's being rude, too, and money doesn't excuse that."
"No, it doesn't," Cadence agreed. "So, do you guys want to walk away now? I'd say this is the time to do it if we are going to."
"Not until we find out what the dude next door has to say." Leo spoke for the group. "I mean, he's this Nick Collin's son. That's closer than you've gotten so far, Miss."
"Okay, then," Cadence agreed, taking the note and sticking it in her purse. "Let's go talk to Charles."
| Author Notes |
Thanks to photobeat for the artwork to enhance the story!
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
This is the last few lines of the last chapter:
*****
"So, do you guys want to walk away now? I'd say this is the time to do it if we are going to."
"Not until we find out what the dude next door has to say," Leo spoke up for the group. "I mean, he is this Nick Collin's son. That's closer than you've gotten so far, Miss."
"Okay, then," Cadence said, taking the note and sticking it in her purse. "Let's go talk to Charles."
*****
New Chapter:
There was no need to peer into the window of "Time and Time Again". The door was propped open and a stream of people poured in and out, smiles on their faces, and excitement in their steps.
Where Destiny's Angel was dark and austere, this store, was full of vibrant colors. Loud Christmas music blared over a speaker system that seemed to have outlets all over the store. A large bearded man dressed in full Santa attire stood behind a countered and beckoned to them.
"Merry Christmas," he boomed out with a smile and a very Santa-like chuckle. "Can I help you fine folks this day?"
"I'm not really sure," Cadence answered with a well-practiced smile.
Years of asking for donations, planning school events and running drives had taught Cadence how to deal with all kinds of people. Dealing with a boisterous Santa was nothing compared to planning an ice cream party for the whole freshman class after they won a newspaper drive.
"I was supposed to meet with Nick Collins, next door, about a business venture," she explained, "but he left a note instructing us to speak with his son. Are you Charles?"
"No, ma'am," he replied, still smiling broadly, "but I will be happy to help you."
"Charles isn't here," a brunette elf next to the Santa figure interrupted. "He's our boss, but he left about half an hour ago."
"Of course he has," Mia muttered.
Cadence ignored her comment and then turned to the Santa expectantly.
"Do you know where he's gone? It is very urgent that we speak with him."
"I have no idea where he is," the portly man replied, his bright smile fading a bit. "He said he would be right back."
"I understand," Cadence said using her teacher voice. "If he isn't here, he isn't here, but maybe there is something you can help me with."
"Sure," Santa said hesitantly. "What is it?"
Cadence leaned against the counter and looked at both figures conspiratorially. The large Santa and the gum smacking elf leaned in as well.
"Can you tell me anything about the owner of Destiny's Angel?" She asked quietly.
"Not really," the elf began. "I mean, he's not really here that much. He's definitely our boss's father, but he doesn't open his store on a regular basis. To be honest, I don't know how he hopes to make money the way he does business."
"I don't think he really needs the money," Santa offered, his voice loud in spite of their closeness. "They say he's loaded and only has the store for a hobby."
"Or maybe you two talk too much," a voice snapped as a medium sized man with dark shaggy hair approached from somewhere in the back of the store.
"Mr. Collins!" The elf sputtered. "I didn't know you were back."
"Apparently not," her boss stated.
He walked over and joined the group, a jolly manner belying his scolding words.
"Hi, I'm Charles Collins, and I assume you are Cadence Uriel. I've been expecting you. Who are these fine young people with you?"
Cadence introduced her students, each shaking his firm hand in turn. Inspite of her earlier frustration, she was drawn into the man's infectious personality. He wasn't at all what Cadence would have expected from the son of the eccentric donor.
"I was supposed to meet your father," she explained. "There was a package of his that was lost three evenings ago by a man who got mugged down the street, and he had asked us to help retrieve it."
"He told me about that," Charles said, pulling Cadence into a warm Christmas hug. "He was pretty upset about the loss of that package."
"And I hope he was worried about the man who was injured," Shanice said.
She crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her head to the side.
"Naturally," Charles intoned sweetly. "I'm sure that's one reason he wants you to find the man. Apparently he wouldn't let you call an ambulance or take him to a doctor."
"No, he wouldn't," Cadence said, "and that was certainly frustrating, but my lack of ability to connect with your father is another. He has asked us to fulfill a very strange request, one I'm not really sure we are up to, and we can't seem to meet up with him."
"I'm sorry to hear it," Charles said, his voice as sincere as his words suggested. "But this time really wasn't his fault. He called all the local homeless shelters to ask if anyone had shown up Thursday looking like he had been beaten up. One said that they had and so my father left to go check it out. You see, he's not asking you to do it alone."
"Why even ask me to help at all?" Cadence asked. "What could I possibly do? You father seems to have an over inflated view of my abilities. Doesn't he realize I'm just a teacher?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have no clue what my father knows or thinks, but if he has asked you to do something, you can be sure that he is quite certain you are equal to the task. He is quite a remarkable judge of character."
"He doesn't even know me."
"He doesn't need to."
"Seems to me he could hire anyone he wants."
"Apparently he's hired you," Charles replied, "and from what I understand, at a very healthy price."
"I hear that," Leo commented, "but I still don't know how I feel about how safe this whole thing is."
"The shelter Dad is visiting is very secure," Charles explained. "We actually know the people who run it. They give people a safe place to live and a new beginning. I can personally vouch for your safety. Dad would never ask you to go if it was dangerous."
Charles held up a piece of paper. "It's here in a note Dad left with me."
The handwriting on its surface looked very much like the note in Cadence's hand.
"What else does it say?" Cadence asked, pausing before taking it from Charles' hand. "Have you read it?"
"I watched him write it. Basically, he asks you to join him at the shelter where he would like you to help him check on the old man's health and ask him some questions."
"And the reason why he wants me to do this and not the police?" Cadence asked.
"Dad thinks the man, C-Daddy, I think they say he is called, would come closer to trusting you than the authorities. Most people in shelters of any kind tend to be very distrusting, and Dad hopes that you two might have developed some sort of rapport."
"Okay, I'll buy that," Cadence said, "although I'm not sure how much of a connection we made in our brief encounter. He does feel as though he owes me a debt for giving him bus fare money, and that might help open conversation."
"This kinda reminds me of a treasure hunt, Miss Uriel," Shanice commented. "Phone calls, missed appointments, cryptic notes...all part of the game."
"I'm not sure it's a game," Charles said, holding his father's note up enticingly, "but it is an adventure. The choice is yours, Miss Uriel. Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it," Cadence decided, reaching for the note. "But this time, kids, I am going alone."
| Author Notes |
Thank you to the artwork from lynnkah from FanArtReview. Gotta love the wonderful artwork from our "sister site".
This is the continuing story of Cadence Uriel and her teenaged students who are trying to help an eccentric store owner connect with a package that was intercepted one snowy evening. They are promised a huge sum of money once the missing package is found. While seeming somewhat innocent on the surface, it will quickly become the adventure of a lifetime as the real world becomes entwined with the gods of lore. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Cadence crawled out of her yellow Bug and looked at a large red brick building sitting in the middle of Baltimore's historic, Federal Hill, on South Hanover Street. It was the place the note from Nick had told her to go, and it was called, "American Rescue Workers", one of several homeless shelters in Baltimore. It had the look and feel of a Church, or as it is touted, "a Church with a Mission".
Cadence had butterflies in her stomach as she approached the monolith that housed a portion of the indigent of Baltimore. She knew that there were many souls who passed through those doors with very little hope. Some were chemically dependent, some never had a good start in life, and others were just down on their luck. One thing that they all had in common, though, was that they needed help. She took a deep breath, put a smile on her face, and then opened the front door.
"May I help you?" A woman, with the name tag, Alice, asked.
"Yes, or at least I hope so," Cadence answered clearing her throat nervously. "I am looking for an acquaintance of mine, Nick Collins. He is supposed to be here visiting a man we know of as, C-Daddy."
"C-Daddy," Alice repeated. "He's sure gotten a lot of visitors today."
"That's interesting," Cadence remarked, raising a curious eyebrow, "Although I am only interested in whether Nick was one of those visitors. Is he or C-Daddy here?"
"Actually, not at the moment," Alice answered. "What business do you have with C-Daddy, anyway?"
"I literally stumbled on him Wednesday night in Ellicott City. He was there delivering a package to the man, Nick Collins, I spoke of, but was robbed and beaten before he could get it to him.
"I found him right after he was mugged, and tried to get him to let me help, but he refused to go to the hospital, so I gave him money for bus fare. Nick asked me to meet him here so we could come by and check on him and see if he knew who took the package."
"Well, he and C-Daddy were both here at one point," Alice explained, "but not at the same time. When Mr. Collins arrived, C-Daddy had already left. Like I told Mr. Collins when he called, C-Daddy came home Wednesday night looking like he'd been in a terrible fight.
"C-Daddy swore up and down he hadn't fought anybody; said he slipped on ice. I told him ice doesn't give anyone a black eye, but decided to let it drop so long as the police didn't show up. I patched him up, but we used all the bandages, and C-Daddy felt bad about it."
"Yes, from what little I know about C-Daddy, I'm not surprised at his reaction, but what about Mr. Collins? How long ago was he here?"
"About an hour, give or take, but he left as soon as I told him about the first visitor looking for C-Daddy," Alice replied. "Mr. Collins said something about how that was the last news he needed to hear, and took off in a huge hurry. He did say a woman might show up to see him, and I'm guessing that's you."
"It is," Cadence nodded. "Did he ask me to wait?"
"Not exactly, but he wanted you to talk to C-Daddy if you get a chance -- said he would get back to you when he could."
"That definitely sounds like Nick," Cadence sighed. "So, who was the other guy that was looking for C-Daddy?"
"I've never seen him before," the woman replied. "He was a tall skinny fellow that came charging in here demanding I let him talk to C-Daddy right then and there, but I sent him packing. Told him we aren't looking for trouble around here, and that he needed to head right on back out the door he came in."
"What was his response?" Cadence asked.
"Well, he started talking real sweet-like, then, but he wasn't fooling me. I just gathered myself up and pointed straight at the door. 'You get on out of here,' I repeated, plain as you're standing there.
"Well, he puffed himself up and told me I'd better tell him where C-Daddy is or there'd be big trouble. I told that scoundrel he hasn't seen trouble until he comes messing with me. 'Besides,' I said, 'he isn't here, so save your nasty breath,' and, let me tell you, that creature's breath smelled like something had crawled up in his mouth and died."
"Did he leave, then?" Cadence asked half out of politeness, and half out of concern. She wasn't planning to confront anyone, foul smelling or otherwise.
"First," the woman replied, "he spat on the floor and called me a name my Mama would have washed my mouth out for, and then warned me he will be back, and not to tell any one he'd been here."
"Did he say what his name was?" Cadence asked, deciding not to mention the fact that the woman had violated the warning twice already.
"Nope, he didn't tell me," the woman replied, "and I didn't ask."
"Well, I'm sorry you had to go through that," Cadence said honestly.
She was beginning to get the feeling that this whole venture was building up to be more trouble than it was worth, and half a million dollars was worth a lot of trouble.
"That's okay," the woman said. "We get all kind of folks in here. I just wish there was something I could do to help you."
"Maybe you can," Cadence said. "Do you have any idea where C-Daddy is now so I can speak with him?"
"He's gone to the drugstore to get some more bandages," she explained. "He woke up this morning still worried about using them all Wednesday night, so, I gave him the money to pay for them, and off he took. He hates to owe people, you see"
"Yeah, I got that when I paid for his bus fare," Cadence said.
"I know your friend, Nick Collins, asked you to speak with him, and you are welcome to wait, but if you take off down Hanover Street, you should run into him eventually."
"I've already run into him once," Cadence chuckled. "I'm not sure I should try it again."
"I hear you," the woman agreed, "but there's no telling how long before he'll get back."
"Why?" Cadence asked. "Is it that far to the store?"
"Oh, no, the store is right down the street, but C-Daddy doesn't always take the shortest way back from anywhere. That's probably what got him mugged the other night. He's seldom where he is supposed to be."
"Okay, thanks, I guess I will drive around and see if I can find him. I appreciate your help."
"You are quite welcome, young lady, and please come back any time. We can always use visitors in this place, especially around Christmas. Folks get mighty lonely during the holidays."
"I might just do that," Cadence said. "Oh, and by the way, can you tell me what Nick Collins looks like? We've never actually met. We seem to keep missing each other."
"He's tall," the woman said, scrunching her face as though thinking deeply, "and sort of broad shouldered, but he had on a large coat, and a hat tilted over his face, so I just caught a hint of sexy brown eyes, and a deep mellow voice."
"Not like the other guy who stopped by?"
"No, not at all. Look, I know you are trying to help C-Daddy, and this Nick fellow, but I hope you know what you are getting yourself into."
"I actually have no idea what's going on," Cadence replied, "but I have a feeling I'll find out soon."
| Author Notes |
A special thanks to the great artwork of, GaliaG, that adds depth to the story.
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Cadence drove south on Hanover Street, looking carefully up and down the sidewalks for anyone who resembled her memory of C-Daddy.
As she searched, she looked around at the houses in the area. They seemed dismal and congested. Graffiti of all sorts was etched into every available wall space, and the lawns, if existent at all, were patchy and overgrown.
Desultory people strode about on the roadside, and others leaned across porch railings, calling out to passer-bys. Everyone was in motion, but no one was going anywhere. Cadence could almost hear Poe's raven flying overhead, quoting, "Nevermore".
Finally, just as Cadence was about to give up, she caught the ambling walk of a tall man, bent over and limping. She pulled over close and rolled down her window.
"C-Daddy, is that you?" she called out.
She was relieved when the man turned her way and she recognised the bruised face of her unfortunate acquaintance from Wednesday night.
"Yes," C-Daddy replied, walking towards the car. "Cadence? What on Earth are you doing way out here?"
"I came to check on you," she replied, leaving the rest of the story untold. "I went to the shelter and they said I could find you out walking."
"Well, here I am," he said smiling and leaning on the open window, "and finding me's not always an easy thing to do."
"So I've heard. Why don't you climb in and let me take you to the shelter? I hear they are in need of bandages."
"Oh, they don't need them right now," C-Daddy said. "They just let me feel like I was returning a favor by sending me for more, because they know I like to keep the scores even."
"I've noticed that, too," Cadence commented. "So are you going to let me do another favor and give you a lift home?"
"I don't think I could fit into that little box of a car you have," C-Daddy said, his eyebrows raised skeptically. "Are you sure that thing is legal to drive on the road?"
"Of course," Cadence laughed. "It is supposed to be ranked high in fuel efficiency."
"That's quite impressive," he said sardonically. "But maybe not too practical. Doesn't the school district pay you enough to afford a real car?"
"It is real," Cadence snipped, "and I'll have you know it's very environmentally friendly. It has a small carbon footprint."
"It has a pretty small tire print, too," he observed as he opened the door and folded his long legs inside. "But as this seems to be all you have with you to ride in, I guess I will accept."
"Thanks," Cadence said, wondering how she had ended up on the apologetic end of this discussion.
"Of course you realize that this means I owe you two favors now?"
"Please don't keep count," Cadence requested. "You make me feel guilty for helping."
"No need to feel that way," C-Daddy said. "This isn't about you, it's about me and my need to keep scores even."
"It sounds more like a compulsion."
"Call it what you like, but it helps me to maintain some semblance of independence."
"I can live with that," Cadence agreed, "but answer me this; do you ever help people?"
"All the time."
"And do you keep count of how much other people owe you?"
"Never."
"And you don't see the inconsistency in that?" Cadence asked.
"Nope."
Cadence shrugged her shoulders as she turned her car into traffic and headed for the shelter. For a moment, neither one of them spoke.They each seemed to be trying to decide what to say next. Finally, Cadence looked over at C-Daddy and caught his glance. There was a light shining from within that she hadn't noticed before.
"You look much younger than I recall," Cadence commented. "I thought you were an old man."
"I am an old man," C-Daddy smiled. "I just try to take care of myself."
"Right," Cadence said, turning back and watching the road. "That explains the bruises."
"I'm not responsible for those," he reminded her, "and don't go mentioning my life-style either. I'm not a drunk. I'm just a free spirit, and it seems employers don't always appreciate that in an employee."
"I'm not judging," Cadence explained.
"Good, so why are you here?"
"I just wanted to see how you are doing after the encounter you had Thursday night," Cadence replied.
"Encounter?" C-Daddy snorted. "I was robbed and beaten."
"I was trying to sugarcoat it," Cadence explained, gesturing with her hands as she often did when she was unsure of herself.
"Don't," C-Daddy said. "You should always tell things like they are."
"I am a school teacher," Cadence stated. "I'm trained to soften blows."
"I'm not a child," he reminded her, "and the real ones don't need to hide from truth either."
"They have plenty of reminders at home. At least at school they can find a kind heart and manners. Someone has to set an example for them."
"And I am sure you set a wonderful one," C-Daddy allowed, yielding the argument in such a way that neither one won, but both were satisfied.
"So, how are you?" Cadence asked, returning to the subject.
C-Daddy hesitated, looking at Cadence out of the corner of a blackened eye. His unshaven face betrayed a frown that turned down the corners of his swollen lips.
"I'm alive, which is more than my attackers hoped for," he replied, the frown growing.
"I tried to get you to go to the hospital," Cadence reminded him with frustration evident in her voice.
"Of course," he nodded, "and I refused, which wasn't entirely fair to you. I'm sure your concern is real, but I can't help wonder if there is more to your visit than asking after my health."
"Like what?"
"Like, let's start by being honest," C-Daddy said, turning and looking her straight in her eyes.
In spite of his age and obvious condition, there was something attractive about the man. Cadence was sure that he must have used his innate charm throughout his life to do just what he said -- stay alive.
"Besides checking to see if I'm still kicking, what else brought you here?" He continued.
"I need to find the package that was taken from you," Cadence replied bluntly.
She pulled her car over in front of the homeless shelter, and sat a moment so they could talk.
"Whatever for?" C-Daddy asked, a puzzled look on his face. "I was taking it to a man named Nick Collins. What possible business could you have with it?"
"Nothing directly," Cadence explained, "but this Nick Collins guy was the same man I was supposed to meet Wednesday night, too."
"And you missed the meeting because you stopped to help me. I remember that. I thought you said he would reschedule considering the circumstances."
"I hoped he would," Cadence explained, her voice beginning to sound a bit whiney, "but apparently the package was so important that he is now tying its retrieval into our donation."
"Okay," C-Daddy said simply, his expressive eyes registering disbelief, "but, why?"
"I don't know why," Cadence admitted. "I told him to go to the police about it."
"And his response?"
"About like yours when I suggested that you go to the police about your attack. What's with everyone in this area? Don't you guys trust anyone?"
"We are very careful whom we put our faith in," he responded, "and it looks like your benefactor and I have chosen to trust the same person."
"See," Cadence pointed out, "I told you that being nice and sugarcoating unpleasantness pays off."
"I'm not sure searching for an old beat up guy about a missing package counts as paying off, but I get your point."
"Too true," Cadence chuckled, "but the trust thing is important. So do you know where the package is?"
"Should I?
"Well," Cadence said nodding. "Nick Collins, seems to think you might."
"And how does he possibly think he knows that?"
"I don't know," Cadence admitted, "maybe because he is a smart rich guy. Look, if you know something, please tell me. It seems very important to the man, and my organization would really benefit from the donation. We do a lot of good in this community and we help the needy in many ways."
"I wish I could tell you, my dove," C-Daddy said, reaching for the handle on the door to get out. "If only to see you smile, but I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
C-Daddy glanced over his shoulder to reply, and then let out a yell and slammed the door closed again.
"Step on it," he commanded, pointing towards the driver's window.
A long dark blue vehicle had suddenly appeared with two men hanging outside, guns pointed straight at them. Cadence took in a deep gasping breath and then did just what C-Daddy suggested and floored it.
| Author Notes |
Thanks to shadopups for the great drawing that I am using to portray C-Daddy walking in Baltimore.
"Destiny's Angel" is an ongoing Fantasy/Sci Fi story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Last of chapter 8:
"I wish I could tell you, my dear," C-Daddy said, reaching for the handle on his door to get out. "If only to see you smile, but I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
C-Daddy glanced over his shoulder to reply, and then let out a yell as he slammed the door closed.
"Step on it," he commanded, pointing towards the driver's window.
A long dark blue vehicle had suddenly appeared with two men hanging outside, guns pointed straight at them. Cadence took in a deep gasping breath and then did just what C-Daddy suggested and floored it.
***** New Chapter *****
"We can't possibly hope to outrun these guys," Cadence stated. "My car doesn't even go over 55 mph. I had the guys at the dealership put a governor on it."
"Why?" C-Daddy asked in exasperation.
"You, know," she said, steering the car out into traffic. "It saves gas and lowers emissions that can cause Global Warming."
"Here, change places with me so I can drive, Tree-hugger," C-Daddy insisted, taking control of the steering wheel. "What were you thinking?"
"Not that I was supposed to flee for my life in my car," she responded, scooting under the larger man, who, she noticed, could move rather quickly when needed.
C-Daddy didn't reply, but, instead, jerked the steering wheel to the side, ran up onto the sidewalk, and then darted down an alley. The larger car was right on their heels, but didn't fire any guns. They didn't need to, faster and stronger, they bore down on the little Volkswagen until they rammed right into its back. Cadence was thrown violently backwards into the headrest. She could hear every vertebrae in her neck crack painfully. As an afterthought, she fastened her seatbelt.
For a quick second, C-Daddy glanced over and betrayed concern, but then returned his eyes to the road and his attention to their predicament. Cool and calm, he turned out of the alley and into oncoming traffic. He headed straight down the wrong way, dodging cars right and left, sending several careening to the shoulder.
"Do you even have a driver's license?" Cadence gasped, her fingertips clutching the dashboard.
"No," he replied. "Why, do you think I need one?"
"I think you might just as well let those men shoot us," Cadence responded. "It would be a quicker death."
She covered her eyes with a hand she pried loose from the dash as he flew onto the sidewalk, executing a doughnut, and then entering the normal flow of traffic.
"No need to now," he responded, pointing to the blue sedan that had just crashed into the side of a brick building.
"You could have gotten us killed!" Cadence shrieked, slapping C-Daddy on his arm. "Are you crazy?"
"Some people think so," he responded, turning a corner and ending up in front of the homeless shelter, "but they have to agree that I am a darn good driver."
Cadence let her head drop onto the dash on folded hands, and let out a huge sigh that sounded like she might have held her breath for the entire trip.
"You okay?" C-Daddy asked, reaching a hand over to stroke her hair in a gesture of tenderness that surprised Cadence.
"I guess," she answered, raising her head to look at her companion. "Now you want to be honest with me about the package?"
"I told you," he began, looking away, "I don't know where the package is. I wish I did, but, I just might have an idea who took it."
"And when were you planning to let me know that?"
"I guess when you asked, which technically speaking, you did not."
"Okay," Cadence said in exasperation. "Who took it then?"
"Serpent goons would be my guess."
"Are they like a gang or something?"
"Not in the sense you are thinking," he replied. "I mean, they are organized, have leaders with god complexes, and have evil tendrils infiltrating about all major crime areas, but they aren't a neighborhood gang per se."
"I've never heard of them."
"Not many have," C-Daddy said, "but all have felt their effects."
"That's a bit vague," Cadence pointed out, "and rather paranoid, too, if you want my opinion."
"Paranoia is when you think you are going to be chased by a random blue car, wisdom is when you know it, and skill is when you get away from it."
"How do we find them, then?" Cadence asked, yielding the point.
"I've been trying to figure that out ever since they jumped me for that package," C-Daddy explained. "I guess they found me instead."
"I guess so, too," Cadence agreed, "but the point is, why? They already took the package from you. What else do they want?"
"I don't know," C-Daddy admitted. "They are pretty nasty customers who have been causing trouble in my world for years."
"What world is that?" Cadence asked.
She couldn't imagine anyone spending time chasing someone who was already fallen, or pursuing a man who had nothing left to take besides a package he was trying to deliver.
"There are many worlds," C-Daddy replied, catching the meaning in her words, "and many players in them. Do not suppose that you understand all of their motives, but if you are insinuating that I am involved in criminal activity myself then you are much deceived."
"I'm not insinuating anything," Cadence defended, "and I don't know you well enough to judge. I just want to know what I'm up against. In my line of work I'm not usually chased by armed men in any color car, blue or otherwise."
"I can't imagine that you would be," C-Daddy conceded, "and I'm terribly sorry it happened today. You seem like a really nice lady."
"Thank you, but that's not my point. Wouldn't these Serpent guys make better use of their time if they went after whoever it was that sent that package rather than us?"
"You would think so," C-Daddy admitted, this time opening the car door and lumbering awkwardly out. "I'm guessing they must want something else. Come back by Monday and we will talk again. Maybe I will know more by then."
"I can come when I get off work," Cadence offered.
"That's fine," C-Daddy said, turning to limp away.
Cadence got out of the passenger side and walked towards the driver's door. She looked at the car, carefully scrutinizing it for damage. She was surprised to find it in better shape that she had feared.
"Who were you before your life fell apart?" Cadence asked softly, thinking the older man out of earshot.
"Who said it fell apart?" he whispered back, his voice carried to her by a gentle breeze.
| Author Notes |
Thanks to, suenethery, for the great graphics!
Destiny's Angel is an ongoing Fantasy/Sci Fi story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
"You seriously got chased by gangsters around Baltimore?" Mia asked, her eyes large and concerned.
Mia and the other Student Council officers sat with Cadence around a lab table Monday afternoon during Advisory class. They had gotten a hurried and cryptic text early in the morning asking them to meet.
"And with C-Daddy driving?" Shanice added.
"Yes, and I know it sounds crazy," Cadence replied. "The whole day was weird. It started when I arrived at the homeless shelter."
Cadence then launched into her story about the encounter with the lady at the shelter and her subsequent misadventure with C-Daddy and the gun toting miscreants. When she was finished, they all sat quietly, deep in troubled thoughts. Finally, Shanice broke the silence.
"Now who are these Serpent guys C-Daddy mentioned?"
"I don't have a clue," Cadence answered. "He didn't say much about about them, and I didn't have a lot of time to question. All I know is that they are some sort of gang, and that they want something from C-Daddy."
"I've never heard the name, 'Serpents'," Leonardo said as all eyes turned his way. "But there is a legend passed around about an ancient order that is powerful and very secretive. It's one of those organizations that you can't join without an invitation, and if you get one, you don't dare turn it down. They supposedly use a coiled snake beneath a tree as their logo. That I know of, I've never met one of them in person, but, if you ask me, we don't need to get involved in anything they are a part of."
"I agree with Leo," Mia said, "and if he says they are bad news, then they are bad news. I know half a million's a lot of money, but I don't think it's worth it, Miss."
"Me, either." Cadence nodded. "What happened Saturday was a close call - way too close. I just can't take the chance of anyone getting hurt."
"I'm with you guys," Shanice said. "My vote is to tell Mr. Collins we're through."
"Duly noted," Cadence said. "Well, that's everyone's vote but Sarah's. Where did you say she was Shanice?" Cadence asked.
"She was in first period English," Shanice answered, "but got called out early. I think she had a doctor's appointment or something."
"I saw her heading out the door," Leo added. "She had her backpack with her."
"Well, I'm going to go ahead and call the vote as decided," Shanice stated. "We have more than the majority here, and we all feel the same about quitting the adventure."
"I say that's fair," Leo agreed.
Cadence was about to impart a wise and timely message about how important it was to choose safety over money when she was interrupted by a student tapping her on the arm.
"Miss," the young lady began.
"Yes?"
"Um, your phone is ringing."
"Thank you," Candace said. "Would you mind answering it for me?"
"Andre," the girl shrieked to a student across the room. "Miss Uriel says answer the phone."
Cadence shook her head and grinned.
"Thanks," she said. "I guess screaming across the room works, too."
"I got it," Andre called back.
He picked the phone up gently and pressed it to his ear.
Cadence could hear the young man courteously informing the caller whose room they had dialed, and asking what they needed.
"Who said a young person couldn't have proper upbringing in the inner city?" She thought to herself.
Cadence could see Andre pause as he listened, nod a few times as though the caller could see him, and then finally tell them to hold on. His face betrayed concern as he looked her way.
"Miss Uriel," he said. "A man says he needs to talk to you, and that it's important."
Cadence took a deep breath that really didn't help her rapidly beating heart, and walked towards her desk phone. She wasn't sure how she knew that the news she was facing was going to be bad, but she did. It may have been the concerned look on Andre's face, or just some inner sense that things were amiss.
Once to the desk, she nodded to Andre and took the phone.
"Thank you," Cadence managed to say.
She gestured for Andre to return to his geometry homework and turned her back towards the class as though to sheild them from her conversation.
"This is Miss Uriel," Cadence said. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, of course," cooed a deep, almost hypnotic, voice, leading Cadence to wonder if she had worried for nothing.
The voice was calm and alluring, obviously coming from a man she could trust. For just for a moment, she felt at peace, and like she would do anything to please the man who was talking to her.
The man paused a moment, letting the sound of his voice penetrate her mind and settle into its darkest recesses like water seeping into sand on a summer beach. Then slowly, and purposefully, he began talking again.
The student Council officers, by this point, had made their way up to the desk. Leo glanced at her and mouthed, "Who is it?"
Cadence shook off the spell from the man's voice and shrugged her shoulders.
When the man began to speak again, his tone was strangely harsher, his message grim. The officers watched as their teacher's face went from dreamy to deathly pale. She mumbled, "okay" a few times, told whoever it was that she had no idea what he was talking about, added a few more "okays", gasped for air, and then hung up the phone. Leonardo caught her as she fell towards her chair.
"What... just... happened?" Leo demanded as he deposited Candace gently in her chair.
Candace sat for a moment not responding, her eyes staring straight ahead. Finally, she took a deep raspy breath and looked at the officers.
"They've got her," she said.
Her shocked eyes stared straight ahead, focusing into the far distance. Finally, and slowly, unbidden tears trickled down her cheeks.
"Who's got who?" Shanice asked,.
She grasped Cadence's shaking hands to steady them.
"The bad guys, the Serpent people," Cadence said.
She looked at Shanice, trying hard to focus her eyes.
"They...they have Sarah."
"Our Sarah?" Mia asked.
She dropped heavily on the top of the desk and sighed nervously.
"What do you mean they have her?"
"There were two men who came to the office this morning," Cadence explained. "They said they were from Social Services, and even had the proper ID's to prove it. They said they had good news about her mother, and that Sarah was to come with them to Child Protective Services for a meeting. So she just went, poor thing, straight to her captors."
"How do you know all this?" Mia asked.
"Because she just told me herself," Cadence said.
Tears began to pour out of her eyes, unbidden.
"and so did one of her captors," she added.
"Let me guess," Leo said, "they said they would kill her if you go to the cops?"
"In so many words, yeah," Cadence said.
"Why do they have her?" Leo asked.
He leaned over her desk, his hands resting on the desk. He looked with smoldering eyes in her face.
"I'm not real sure," Cadence replied. "He said something about wanting the 'complete package', and that he was holding Sarah until he got it. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about. He said that I would, and that I needed to be more careful of the company I keep. This has turned into one big ugly mess."
"What are you going to do?" Shanice asked.
"What I should have done from the very beginning," Cadence replied. "I'm going to the police. This has gotten way out of hand."
"You can't," Mia said. "They'll kill her. If these people are as bad as you say, they won't mess around."
"Which is exactly why I am going to the authorities. They have people trained to handle situations like this. I am doing good to deal with sophomores."
"She's right," Leonardo agreed. "If they hurt her or not will have nothing to do with the police. Let her go to the cops for help. I've got some friends I'm going to talk to, too."
"No, Leo," Cadence said. "We have to do things the right way, or all that I have tried to teach you kids will be for nothing. If we give in to violence and terrorism by responding in like kind than 'they' will have won."
"Maybe they already have." Leo responded, neither agreeing or disagreeing with her request.
| Author Notes |
Thank you to supergold for her creative picture of a woman on the phone. She just might look like our heroine.
Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up being at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer Ongoing Fantasy/Sci Fi story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Recap:
*****
Cadence Uriel, teacher in Baltimore and Student Council Sponsor, was given an offer of a very generous monetary donation if she would show up at a certain time in Ellicott City, Maryland to get it. She missed the appointment because she helped a homeless man named, "C-Daddy" who had been mugged and a package stolen from him.
The offer from the mysterious donor was repeated with the requirement that she and her students find the and return a package that C-Daddy was supposed to deliver to him.
After trying to meet several times with Nick Collins, the donor, Cadence gives up and decides the risks outweigh the benefits, but the decision is taken out of her hands when she finds that one of her students is kidnapped by the "Serpents" - an evil gang that stole the package from C-Daddy to begin with.
The action picks up when Cadence finishes talking to the kidnapper on her classroom phone and goes to talk to the school police.
*****
New Story:
Cadence left her room and headed towards the front office where the campus police were housed. The Student Council Officers had asked to go with her, but she insisted they go to class, promising to let them know what was decided.
In spite of her worthy intentions, however, Cadence Uriel, never made it to the front office, nor did she make it to the campus police officers. What she did do was meet the man with the hypnotic voice from the phone call. He was waiting in the small hall across from her room. It was a dimly lit, and seldom used, passageway that led to a computer spine lab reserved for the science department. Although often full of students, it was currently vacant.
As she left her room, she was lured by the sound of a strange and melodious voice calling out to her. She tried to ignore it as she was on much too important a mission to be delayed, but something about the voice drew her towards the darkened hallway.
She argued with herself as she walked. On the one hand, she desired to tell the police officers in the front office what had happened to Sarah - it was her sacred duty to do so - but on the other hand, she felt compelled to follow the soothing voice.
In the end, she gave up the struggle, deciding a quick check on the source of the voice could be taken care of quickly and then she would go to the office. What difference would a few minutes make?
Hardly had Cadence turned towards the hall, when all of the loneliness she had felt over the years rushed through her mind and heart in a gut wrenching flood. Cadence felt, in that moment, that only the man behind the voice could make her whole again, give her the love she had never known, and heal her broken mother's heart.
"Come, come," the voice bade.
Visions of beautiful colors and music filled her head like a symphony of light.
"Who are you?" Cadence asked.
"I am the essence of all that you desire."
Cadence looked up, and for a fleeting moment, glimpsed the figure of a man. He had soft black hair and a well groomed beard. His face was strong and handsome, and his eyes so irresistible Cadence felt as though they were made of the essence of twinkling stars.
He reached out gently as though to take her hand, and although she resisted the urge to touch him, her eyes were drawn to two strange tattoos on his forearm. One was of a colorful butterfly heading towards a lamp, and the other was the image of an inverted torch. Somewhere in the back of her mind was a memory of these markings, but she couldn't recall where they originated.
Then, as quickly as the figure appeared, it disappeared, only to be replaced by a new voice singing from a different direction. This one was even more alluring than the first, drawing Cadence further away from her planned destination and deeper into a dazed state where the lines between fantasy and reality began to blur.
Vaguely she realized that she was no longer heading towards the computer lab, and having bypassed it, was now approaching the door to a side parking lot. There were very few rooms in that direction, and the ones that were there were closed and locked.
As she reached for the long metal handle on the door, Cadence paused to think her actions through before pushing it open and sealing her fate.
Was she really so weak-willed that all it took was a smooth voice and a promise of acceptance to rid her of any sense of right and wrong? She held her hand back for a moment, ignoring the enticing voice luring her outside.
She could be bigger than this. Her hand was her own, as were the legs and feet that threatened to take her away from the safety of the school.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would not let the voice control her will. She would just open the door and peek outside so that she could see who was calling. Maybe seeing them would give her a description to share with the police. It was obvious that the arrival of her visitors coincided with the abduction of her student.
She eased the door open. Parked on the curb was a long blue car that looked like it had recently undergone extensive bodywork, and Cadence had an idea she knew exactly why it had.
Unfortunately, Cadence couldn't see the license plate from her angle, and so took a step outside to look closer. The door slammed behind her, followed by the distinct sound of a bolt slipping in place.
Suddenly, she was gripped with a sickening feeling that bordered on panic. What happened to the comforting voice that had drawn her here, and why was she locked outside with the car that had chased her and C-Daddy around Baltimore?
Then, to her relief, the soft beautiful voice returned washing over her once more and soothing her fears. Why had she doubted?
Cadence looked up and smiled as the door to the car slowly opened. There, peering out of the depths, was the face of a man beautiful and fair. He had clear blue eyes that were dazzling, and a captivating look that would have charmed birds out of the sky.
Almost waif-like, he held out a long delicate hand, just as the figure in the hall had done so earlier. He had no visible tattoos, but there were several beautiful rings sparkling on his fingers, one in the image of a coiled snake, its head poised to strike.
Cadence paused as she remembered C-Daddy talking about the ancient gang called, the Serpents. They were supposed to be dangerous, weren't they? Hadn't they kidnapped Sarah? She hesitated for just a moment.
The voice called out to Cadence again, soft, silky and enticing, but this time there was urgency. Someone else was coming -- someone that the man in the car didn't like. The alluring voice grew louder as the man, clothed in a snow white cloak, stepped out of the blue car and came towards her. He was quite handsome and Cadence was encouraged by his attention to her. Who was she, a simple plain looking teacher, to attract the attention of so striking a man?
He looked at her with such tenderness and desire that it made her blood course through her veins with passionate frenzy. She reached out an eager hand to touch his, but then noticed his gaze shifted to her left. Her curious eyes followed.
There, standing beside, her was a shadowy figure, his countenance as dark and grim as the other man's was fair and pleasant.
The dark man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to him. His touch seemed repulsive and she tried to break away. She expected the man in white to come to her rescue, but, instead, he hesitated by the car as though struggling with what to do next.
| Author Notes |
Thanks for the great artwork of David Ruhl to add to the creepiness of Cadence's visitors!
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of nonviolent death Ares: Evil sister goddess: Goddess of violent death C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer (currently kidnapped) |
By davisr (Rhonda)
End of the old Post:
*****
There, standing beside, her was a shadowy figure, his countenance as dark and grim as the other man's was fair and pleasant.
The dark man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to him. His touch seemed repulsive and she tried to break away. She expected the man in white to come to her rescue, but, instead, he hesitated by the car as though struggling with what to do next.
****************************************
New Post:
"Get out of here, Henry!" the interloper commanded.
He waved his hand at the specter in white as though shooing away a wayward pup. The other arm he used to hold Cadence firmly against his chest.
"You will not take this one," he declared.
"Then you will not get the other," Henry hissed. "I want the complete package, and I am used to getting what I want."
"Really," the man who held her said, "then get this."
He reached down and scooped up up a rock. In a quick and practiced movement, he chucked the stone and hit Henry right between his eyes. For a moment the willowy man swayed as though he would fall, a sizeable knot forming on his forehead. Finally he shook his head as though to clear it, and then sat back down in the car.
He slammed the door shut with a loud bang, and off the Serpents sped, spewing gravel in their wake. Thankfully, Cadence had the presence of mind to note the number on the license plate and commit it to memory.
"Cheap parlor trick," her rescuer snorted as soon as they were alone.
"What's that?" Cadence asked.
"The hypnosis. He acts like he's the one who invented it."
"I hear that," Cadence said. "Hey what are you doing?"
"I'm taking off my disguise so you can see who I am. Here, hold my coat and hat."
"C-Daddy?"
"Who else?"
"How many times are you going to just keep popping up?"
"As many times as you get yourself in trouble."
"Me? You're the one bringing trouble with you. And why do you keep looking younger each time I see you? You keep this up and you'll be a child inside a week."
"I do not look younger. I'll have you know, I took a shower, that's all."
"Okay," Cadence said, "but I hope it wasn't just for me. So, who was that guy in the car?"
"One of the leaders of the Serpents," he explained. "And he's got a twin, too."
"I think I met him," Cadence said. "He looked and sounded a lot like this guy, only a bit darker. He was inside the school, right near my door. He had such a sweet voice that I almost followed him into a dark hallway."
"Be glad you didn't. His bite is worse than his bark."
"Somehow, deep inside, I knew that," Cadence commented. "It's like I wanted to follow, but knew it was wrong at the same time."
"Almost like an addiction?" C-Daddy asked.
"That's exactly what I thought at the time," Cadence said. "I guess that's what gave me the strength to resist."
"Resist?" C-Daddy snorted. "All I saw was you walking blindly into a nasty trap."
"Yes, and one baited with a very tempting piece of cheese," Cadence commented.
"All traps are. Let's just hope you never have to find out what Henry and his brother, Bram, would have done if they had caught you."
"I assure you, I don't want to know. But what did they want with me anyway? I can't possibly have anything of value to them."
"You were at the wrong place at the wrong time the other night, I guess. Now they feel that you are involved with me and Nick and the package they stole."
"Is that why they have Sarah, then, because she was at the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"No, she's the weakest link in your chain, and if there's anything true about the Serpents, it's that they know how to attack where you are weak."
"Will they hurt her?"
"Not for now. She is too important to them. They hope she'll lead them to us."
"Pleasant guys those twins," Cadence remarked.
"Yeah, and they are the nice ones, too. Hope you never meet their sister."
"I hope I never have to meet any of them again, but as they've got Sarah I'm guessing I won't get my wish," Cadence said. "What is this complete package he talked about anyway? Didn't they get that the other night when they jumped you?"
"They got an important part of it," C-Daddy explained, "but what they want, I'm not willing to give up."
"And what is that?" Cadence asked.
"A secret weapon," C-Daddy answered.
"I have a feeling you aren't going to tell me what that is."
"It would destroy my aura of mystery."
"Okay, then, can you tell me how it involves Nick Collins?"
"He's the head of our Order."
"Your Order? What Order's that? The Anti-Serpent League?"
"Sort of. What eats serpents?"
"Uh, hungry people?"
"Besides that," C-Daddy said.
"I don't know, cats?"
"Yes, and eagles."
"So you are the Order of the Eagles?"
"I'm not the Order, but I'm a part of it."
"Then why are you homeless?"
"We all make mistakes."
"Okay, I can understand that," Cadence said, "I've made a couple I'm not proud of myself, but I thought NIck said he didn't know you."
"It's a very big Order," C-Daddy explained. "Now, if you are through asking questions, where are your keys? We've got places to go."
"Like the Police Station?" Cadence asked hopefully.
"Nope, they've already been notified, and have surveillance video to evaluate. They will need to talk to you later, but first, we are going to the shelter."
"What's there?"
"Hope."
"Who is she, and is she well-armed?" Cadence asked with the first hint of a smile.
"Welcome back." C-Daddy smiled in return.
He put the little yellow car in gear and headed for his home at American Rescue Workers.
| Author Notes |
Thanks for the wonderful artwork by angelina onofrio.
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Order of the Eagles ..... Good Guys who oppose the Serpents Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Last of old post:
******
"We all make mistakes."
"Okay, I can understand that," Cadence said, "I've made a couple I'm not proud of myself, but I thought NIck said he didn't know you."
"It's a very big Order," C-Daddy explained. "Now, if you are through asking questions, where are your keys? We've got places to go."
"Like the Police Station?" Cadence asked hopefully.
"Nope, they've already been notified, and have surveillance video to evaluate. They will need to talk to you later, but for now, we are going to the shelter."
"What's there?"
"Hope."
"Who is she, and is she well-armed?" Cadence asked with the first hint of a smile.
"Welcome back." C-Daddy smiled in return.
He put the little yellow car in gear and headed for his home at American Rescue Workers
*****
New Post:
******
"Do you think the police will find the twins?" Cadence asked.
She leaned back in the chair C-Daddy had provided adjacent to a small bedside table.
"I doubt it. You can be sure they've covered their tracks."
"But you know who they are," Cadence pressed. "You can tell the police when we go there later so they can find them and rescue Sarah."
"I wish it was that easy, Cadence," C-Daddy said, "but these guys know how to remain hidden. They've had a lot of practice."
"But you have a plan. I can see it in your eyes."
"Don't be silly," C-Daddy said, looking away. "My only plan is to hope and have faith. The details we will make up as we go along."
"That's comforting," Cadence said, a side wise glance betraying her distrust.
"Comfort is something you may have to set aside for a while," C-Daddy said, "and in the meantime, we will do what we can to fight the battle that has been forced upon us."
"I don't care about fighting someone else's war," Cadence said. "I just want things to be normal again. You know, peaceful."
"Peaceful?" C-Daddy said. "I've never heard teaching characterized that way before."
"I think you know what I mean."
"I do," C-Daddy nodded, "and I promise, once we get through this mess, you will find peace again."
"That's a nice sentiment, but I can't possibly imagine how this can end up good."
"You lack imagination, my dove," C-Daddy said, patting her arm. "That's why you need creative people like me on your side."
"Right," Cadence said, "and to use an old adage, 'with you on my side, who needs enemies?'"
"That's not entirely fair, I'm a victim here, too," C-Daddy said. "Which one of us has bruises all over his face?"
"That would be you," Cadence said, "and there are more than a few on your hands as well."
"You didn't expect me to not fight back did you?"
"Of course not, but when do you plan to tell me why we've come here?" Cadence asked. "I'm pretty sure those ladies outside in the lobby aren't going to take too kindly to you having a woman in your room."
"The door is open, and they trust me completely."
"They haven't seen you drive have they?"
"Nope, and I hope you don't share any stories with them."
"Not I," Cadence smiled. "I'll let them find that one out for themselves. But, seriously, why are we here? You said there was hope."
"Yes, yes," C-Daddy said, his voice growing quiet. "This place gives many people hope; that's one of the things I like about it, but that's not the hope I spoke of. Sit here a second. I will be right back."
Cadence waited quietly while C-Daddy rummaged around inside his closet. She could hear the shuffling of boxes, the clanging of belt buckles, and the scraping of clothes hangers across a pole. Just as she was beginning to give up on the man ever finding what he sought, she heard him let out a whoop.
"Here it is," he cried, stepping out of the closet and holding a leather bag triumphantly in the air.
"What is in it?" Cadence asked.
"My treasures," he explained.
Carefully C-Daddy poured out the contents on his white bedspread. Cadence noticed at once that the bag had been filled with a few trinkets, a broken necklace and a great deal of pictures. Some of the photograph were new and bright, others old and fragile. She pulled her chair closer to the bed.
"These are lovely," she said, expressing appropriate interest, "but what hope do they give us?"
"Pictures are some of the most important assets you can have," he explained, "and these I've kept throughout the years, no matter what direction my life headed."
"Good for you," Cadence said. "Pictures have always been important to me, too, but what makes this particular collection so exceptional?"
Cadence scanned the images on the bed. They were all so personal and sweet, and it was obvious that he loved the people in them very much.
She had her own special picture that she carried in her purse, but hadn't the strength to look at it often. The thought of it now brought tears to her eyes. Even with it tucked safely away, it invoked some powerful images; the feel of her son's soft dark hair, the warmth of his tiny smile and the look of wonder in his young curious eyes. Would she ever stop missing him?
"Are you okay?" C-Daddy asked.
"Yeah," she answered, clearing the lump in her throat with a cough.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I sort of have," she said, "but this isn't about me. What do you have in your treasures that can help us find Sarah?"
"There's a particular picture I wanted to show you..."
C-Daddy's voice trailed off as he spread the pictures out across the bedspread.
"You've got a lot of children, haven't you?" Cadence asked.
"Yeah, I do," C-Daddy chuckled, "but these aren't all mine, some are nephews and nieces, even a few grand-kids."
"Well, they are beautiful," Cadence said, "but if you have so many family members, what are you doing here in this shelter? Shouldn't they be helping to take care of you?"
"They are way too busy with their own lives to bother with an old man," C-Daddy explained.
"I don't believe that," Cadence said. "There are a lot of people in this pile of pictures. Someone in here would step in if you called on them. What are you not telling me? Who are you really?"
C-Daddy hesitated a moment, and then turned to look at Cadence with a silent upturned brow, his gray eyes passive.
"You can't always put people in categories, Miss Teacher Lady," he said. "Keep an open mind. Deep people are made of many layers."
C-Daddy finally stopped shuffling around the pictures and pulled out a black and white photo that was yellowing around the edges. In it there were three young men leaning against a hay wagon, their arms draped across shoulders in comfortable camaraderie.
"Who are these guys?" Cadence asked, taking the picture, "and is this handsome guy in the middle, you?"
"In all my youthful glory," C-Daddy said with a wink.
"You've got to be kidding. You were so clean cut and, well, hot."
"Thanks. I'm so glad I used to be attractive to you."
"I didn't mean it like that," Cadence said. "Of course you're still a nice looking man, or would be if you tried a bit."
"I know what you mean," C-Daddy said, "but the point of showing you this picture is not so you can see what I used to look like, but because of who else is in the shot."
Cadence squinted her eyes in concentration as she looked over the two other young men leaning on the hay wagon. They looked strikingly alike, differing only in their coloring. Suddenly, her eyes lit up.
"It's the twins," she said. "I mean they look younger here, and their eyes are kinder, but it's them, I know it is, but why do you three look so cozy? Aren't they the bad guys in this story?"
"They weren't always," C-Daddy said. "We used to be on the same team, in the old days, but when their older sister, Eris, got involved, off they took for darker pastures."
"Bad influence?"
"The worst. At one time she was okay, I mean we all hung around together, but she just couldn't get past the lure of power, and it twisted her heart like a serpent."
"And thus the group's symbol?"
"Yes." C-Daddy nodded, placing the picture back on the bed. "And now the whole miserable family is involved."
"There's more of them?"
"Yeah, several more sisters, cousins, friends and other denizens of the night. I would go so far as to say they are the biggest force of evil in the world."
"You've mentioned that before," Cadence said, "and I'm inclined to believe you, but, how did they get involved with the package you were delivering and with my student?"
"If I were to guess," he replied, "I would say that the mugging was just a seasonal crime of convenience, and they didn't know who I was at the time of it. When the bosses figured it out and discovered who I was carrying the package to, then the rest just unfolded."
"And the kids and I just happened to be..."
"In the wrong place at the wrong time," they said together.
Cadence shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head to one side, allowing long blonde curls to cascade down her shoulder and onto the pictures on the bed. She reached a hand up to brush them back, thinking, as she often did, that she was too old for girlish curls.
C-Daddy caught her hand gently and gave it a squeeze.
"Your hair is beautiful," he said. "Please don't restrain it."
Cadence complied, laying her hand back on the bed and smiling shyly. Why did she suddenly care what C-Daddy thought about her hair?
| Author Notes |
Thank you for the beautiful artwork, "Through Blue Glasses" by Liilia
Ongoing story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Last of old post:
******
"If I were to guess," he replied, "I would say that the mugging was just a seasonal crime of convenience, and they didn't know who I was at the time of it. When the bosses figured it out and discovered who I was carrying the package to, then the rest just unfolded."
"And the kids and I just happened to be..."
"In the wrong place at the wrong time," they said together.
Cadence shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head to one side, allowing long blonde curls to cascade down her shoulder and onto the pictures on the bed. She reached a hand up to brush them back, thinking, as she often did, that she was too old for girlish curls.
C-Daddy caught her hand gently and gave it a squeeze.
"Your hair is beautiful," he said. "Please don't restrain it."
Cadence complied, laying her hand back on the bed and smiling shyly. Why did she suddenly care what C-Daddy thought about her hair?
******
The Story Continues:
"So, how does Nick Collins play into this scenario?" She asked. "Just another innocent bystander?"
"The easy answer would be, yes," C-Daddy said, "but the truth of the matter may be more complicated. Events that often seem unrelated often have common strands."
"Like in the book, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey", by Thornton Wilder," Cadence said. "You know, where the bridge collapses and the people killed have relating events in their lives."
"I guess you could look at it that way."
"The students read it in English class at my school."
"Good book," C-Daddy said, "and nice man, that Thornton, for a Yale guy."
"You are not old enough to have known him," Cadence said with a laugh. "He lived in the 1920's."
"Just speaking figuratively," he said.
C-Daddy turned away and began stuffing his treasures back into the package. He hesitated on one and turned to show it to Cadence.
"Here's one of my favorites," he said. "It's my first born. Handsome guy isn't he?"
"Looks just like you," Cadence said. "Do you see him often?"
"I'm afraid not," C-Daddy replied softly. "He's one of them now, or sort of. I can't believe he's actually a functioning part of the Serpents, but he works for them and that's almost as bad. He left when the twins did. It broke my heart and my wife's, too, but you can't control your kids once they are grown."
"I'm sorry for your pain," Cadence said. "I lost a son, too, but it's my own fault he's gone -- I gave him up for adoption."
"I'm sure you did what you thought was best under the circumstances," C-Daddy said. "There is no shame in offering your child a life that you are not in the position to give him."
"Thank you," Cadence said sincerely. It appeared she had C-Daddy had more in common than she had guessed.
"So," she said, changing the subject, "are we going to take these pictures to the police to help them with their investigation?"
"It won't help," C-Daddy explained with a shrug. "I have shown them to the authorities before. They just think I'm a crazy old man. No, my dove, we will have to let them carry on their investigation in whatever method they choose. Who knows, they just might get lucky and find Sarah on their own."
"Then why did you say that the pictures were going to bring us hope if we aren't going to use them?"
"I just did," he explained. "I showed them to you."
"Yeah," Cadence said shaking her head, "I'm not so sure it had the effect you might have hoped for."
C-Daddy stood up and pulled her to her feet.
"Don't give up now, we've just begun the fight."
"But can we win? According to you, you've failed to defeat them in the past."
"I never said I failed," C-Daddy replied. "Before a tree falls, the woodsman strikes with his ax many times."
"But what if it doesn't fall this time?"
"Then when we strike, we will know that we are getting closer to the time when it does."
"But how does that help us today?" Cadence asked in frustration.
"Woodsmen must have great patience if they wish to chop down trees," he said, "and sometimes before the big one falls, they have to saw off a few branches first."
"I'm guessing you've sawed off limbs before."
"Plenty, but I need your help on this one. I can't promise you money, like Nick Collins, or even fame and fortune, but I can promise to try to get Sarah back. Will you help?"
Cadence took a deep breath and let it out in a long slow sigh. She couldn't believe that she had been pulled into such a nightmare. It had all started when she wanted to help her students get money for a toy drive. Yeah, the money had been more than she should have hoped for, but it wasn't for her. It was for the poor kids at her school. It's not greed if it's for others is it?
"I'll do it," she finally said, "but please don't make me regret it."
"Regret is a tool of the enemy," C-Daddy said. "It leads to hopelessness. People without hope are easier to control."
"Why is control so important to the Serpents?" Cadence asked.
"Simply put, they want to rule the world."
"That has been tried before."
"Yes, and it has almost succeeded from time to time, but for vigilance of the strong at heart."
"Is that what we are?" Cadence asked. "The strong at heart?"
"That or fools," C-Daddy replied. "Only time will tell which, but we have to try; it is the responsibility of all who are good."
"But not everyone does try," Cadence said, "and there are many people out there who are inherently good."
"Yes." C-Daddy nodded, "and that's when the valiant step in. Wait here a moment while I put away my package, and then we will leave."
"Is that what the Serpents want, those pictures you have?"
"No. They have very little use for my pictures except to take something away from me that I treasure. They are after bigger game than that."
| Author Notes |
Special thanks for the lovely artwork, "Hands" by Loyd C. Taylor, Sr
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Last of old post:
"Is that what we are?" Cadence asked. "The strong at heart?"
"That or fools," C-Daddy replied. "Only time will tell which, but we have to try; it is the responsibility of all who are good."
"But not everyone does try," Cadence said, "and there are many people out there who are inherently good."
"Yes." C-Daddy nodded, "and that's when the valiant step in. Wait here a moment while I put away my package, and then we will leave."
"Is that what the Serpents want, those pictures you have?"
"No. They have very little use for my pictures except to take something away from me that I treasure. They are after bigger game than that."
******
New Post:
"Should I just call you Scott?" Cadence asked. "I feel like I'm talking to a rapper or something when I call you C-Daddy.
"Scott," C-Daddy repeated as though saying the name for the first time. "Is that what they said my name was in the office?"
"Yes. Isn't that what it is?"
"Not technically speaking, although it is probably what the judge who put me here said. After all, that's what's on my driver's license."
"I didn't think you had one."
"A name or a driver's license?"
"Actually both, and why did a judge place you here? I thought you were one of the good guys."
"I am one of the good guys," C-Daddy said, "but even good guys hit hard times. The police found me passed out on a park bench one cold winter night. They assumed I was drunk and homeless."
"Were you?"
"That's not important."
C-Daddy put his package back in the closet and closed the door quietly almost as though he was stopping to think about what Cadence had asked. He sighed deeply, letting out years of pent up emotion.
Cadence decided to let the subject drop. It was obvious that he knew more than he was telling, and that his every word to her was guarded. Besides, she thought, the less she knew, the better. It's not like she was planning to marry the guy, she just had to stick with him long enough to save Sarah. If, in the process, they managed to find the package to return to Nick Collins, all the better. She was still curious about his name, though, and figured that was a safer subject.
"So, you didn't answer my question, can I call you Scott?"
"Can I call you Margaret?"
"That's not my name."
"Well, Scott's not mine, either."
"Neither is C-Daddy, I'll wager."
"You're right. You can call me George if you would like."
"Is that your real name?"
"Nope."
"I'll call you C-Daddy, then."
"Ready to go?"
"I guess. Where are we going?"
"To find the twins and their evil sisters."
"In what dark hole will we find them?" Cadence asked.
In her mind, she pictured a cave beneath the city, or in some deep aged forest.
"We will leave the shadows for others to watch," C-Daddy explained,
He grabbed his worn coat and hat, and guided Cadence towards the door.
"These Serpents hide where there is laughter and frivolity. It is light that attracts butterflies, not darkness."
"Butterflies?" Cadence asked.
"Yes, that's one of Bram's symbols and it represents souls. He considers himself to be a collector. Didn't you notice the tattoo on his arm?"
Cadence thought back on her encounter with the man in the hall. She remembered the soft soothing voice that had compelled her to follow. Then the image of the dark man popped into her head, and of the two tattoos on his arms. He had been handsome, to be honest, but conjured up a feeling of great dread.
"Is that the name of the darker twin?"
"Yes," C-Daddy replied, "well, it's one of his names, anyway."
"Are you serious? What's with you and your friends and names? Can't you just go with the ones your mamas gave you?"
"Way too easy. To learn one's real name is to gain power over them. You should not give it out to just anyone."
"Right..."
Cadence drew the word out carefully for effect. Why must C-Daddy talk in riddles and have such secrets? She had always liked the direct approach; that way there was no misunderstanding. C-Daddy looked over at her and winked reassuringly.
"You'll figure it all out," he said. "For now, try to keep your eyes open, and look to see truth behind deception. Paying attention to details helps, too."
"I did notice the tattoos," Cadence said, "and that one had butterflies. I thought it rather odd for a man. In spite of his alluring voice, he seemed the tough guy type."
"He is tough, make no mistake," C-Daddy said. "I warn you not to take him lightly, or his brother. A man who makes his life's work gathering souls is not one to be trifled with. You had a very close call earlier. Try to resist his charms should you meet up with him or his brother again."
"I'll do my best."
"Good, then let's go."
C-Daddy waved good-bye to the ladies at the front desk as he and Cadence walked by. They waved back, but looked curiously at her. Cadence guessed they hadn't known she was in C-Daddy's room, after all. She wondered if he often had visitors he didn't bother to explain.
On the way to the car, they both fell silent. Cadence mused on the conflicting thoughts and images that intermingled in her head. The calm secure world she had grown to understand and predict had come unglued.
"What was the other tattoo on Bram's arm?" Cadence asked as they climbed into her small car. "It looked like a circle with some other figures inside. I didn't have time to look at it closely. Is that one of the symbols of his gang?"
"No, it's personal. The actual symbol is a circle with two triangles and a cross inside. At the center is the symbol, Theta, or the Greek letter, 'T', for his true name."
"You know his true name?"
C-Daddy paused a minute as he turned the key in the ignition and waited for the engine to fire up. Only then did he turn to Cadence and answer.
"Of course," he replied, "and I know his brother, Henry's real name, too. I plan to use them one day when I'm ready for the axman's final thrust."
"Great, it all comes down to a name, and names seem to fly about around here like those little butterflies on Bram's arm. So, where are we headed?"
"To the light."
Once again, Cadence wished for a larger and stronger vehicle, but, she wondered, would it make any difference if they were in a tank?
| Author Notes |
Special thanks go out to MoonWillow for: Like a Moth to a Flame
Ongoing Fantasy/Sci Fi story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
The Last Post:
C-Daddy paused a minute as he turned the key in the ignition and waited for the engine to fire up. Only then did he turn to Cadence and answer.
"Of course," he replied, "and I know his brother, Henry's real name, too. I plan to use them one day when I'm ready for the axman's final thrust."
"Great, it all comes down to a name, and names seem to fly about around here like those little butterflies on Bram's arm. So, where are we headed?"
"To the light."
Once again, Cadence wished for a larger and stronger vehicle, but, she wondered, would it make any difference if they were in a tank?
*****
New Post:
"The mall?" Cadence asked. "Why are we at mall? You think this is Serpent's hideout?"
"It is one of them," C-Daddy replied, "and as this is the Christmas season, it's where they are most of the time."
"Why?"
"What better place to spread discord? Oftentimes, seasons that should inspire love for one another, become breeding grounds for chaos and despair, and that is exactly where the Serpents would want to be."
"Why didn't you tell the detectives when we were at the police station earlier?"
"They have their own investigation, and aren't interested in an old man's theories."
"But this is more than a theory, right?"
C-Daddy paused to think as he pulled into a parking spot close to the entrance.
"We shall soon see," he replied, "and now, enter C-Daddy the Conqueror, and his trusty sidekick, Cadence, the strong at heart."
"Are you serious, C-Daddy? We are way out-gunned here."
"Are you scared?"
"Of course I am, and frustrated, too. Sarah's mother hasn't even shown up, and this story is all over the news. You would think she'd at least care enough to come see what's happening to her daughter."
"That would be nice, but not everyone who gives birth is cut out to be a parent. Sarah has her father, and he loves her enough for both parents. Sometimes that's how it works, and it's okay. Don't worry, remember, we have right on our side."
"I would be happier with a team of SWAT officers."
"Oh, my dove, often a few succeed where many fail."
"Really? Name one example."
"There was once a man who had twelve very special friends," C-Daddy said, "and they changed the world."
"They were also martyred."
"Some things are worth dying for."
"Is that what we came here to do?"
"Not if we can avoid it," C-Daddy said. "Now, let's head inside, because I have a feeling that's where Sarah is being held."
Cadence chose not to question C-Daddy further as she knew that to do so would get her nowhere. She had already made the choice to follow him, and follow him she did, right into the center of a Christmas shopping wonderland. In spite of her situation, Cadence breathed in the atmosphere and exhaled out tension and worry. What was it about Christmas that resonated with her inner being? She hoped the feeling would be enough to carry her through her trials ahead. Like she told C-Daddy, she was scared.
"So, where do we start?"
"Where do you think is the busiest part of the whole store?" C-Daddy asked.
"Either the Food Court or the toy store."
"I completely agree. Why don't you take the Food Court and I'll go to the toy store?"
"Do you think it's wise for us to split up?" Cadence asked. "I have absolutely no idea what to do if I find the Serpents."
"Call me."
C-Daddy headed away and towards the left, presumably for the toy store.
"But you don't have a cellphone," Cadence yelled.
C-Daddy glanced over his shoulder and cupped both hands to his mouth to indicate that she should scream. Fine, she thought, she could definitely do that, but she felt doubtful about his ability to hear her across a crowded mall. But then, again, he had found her at the school when she needed him.
Suddenly, Cadence wondered how C-Daddy had found her earlier when the twins assailed her. It had never occurred to her to ask when she had the chance. She had been so glad to be rescued that she hadn't bothered to find out how or why. Hopefully he would find and rescue Sarah as easily. The thought gave her a measure of hope, and sometimes that's all you need.
Cadence let herself think for a moment and consider her options. She decided she could run to the police and tell them what was going on, wimp out and follow C-Daddy to the toy store, or she could gather the pieces of her shattered courage and go to the Food Court alone. None of the options felt comfortable, but what had C-Daddy told her earlier, that she might have to leave comfort behind for awhile? Fine, she would go to the Food Court. Before she got far, however, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Leo," Cadence said. "What are you doing here?"
"I work here. Remember, I told you I got a job."
"I know you said you were working, I just didn't know it was at the mall. Which store?"
"Oh, it's not a store. I'm working at Decoria's Diner."
"In the Food Court?"
"Yeah."
"Great, that's where I'm headed."
"What happened to you today?" He asked. "The police showed up right after advisory to find out about Sarah. They wanted to talk to you, but you were nowhere to be found. Someone said they saw you following some man out the side door and towards a blue sedan - one just like the security cameras showed that Sarah got into. You need to get hold of the police and let them know you are safe."
"I have," Cadence said. "They questioned me for a bit, and then told me I could go. They said they would get back with me later if they needed."
"Okay, but what are you doing at the mall now? Surely it's not just to go shopping."
"You remember how I told you I met with C-Daddy at the homeless shelter?"
"Yeah, the homeless dude, that got you chased all over Baltimore by guys with guns."
"Yes, well, he rescued me from the kidnappers earlier. They just about got me, too - long story, but it seems they are old friends of his that have gone bad."
"Okay, that's creepy, but I'm glad you weren't kidnapped. I guess you told all of this to the cops while you were there."
"C-Daddy went with me, and we told them everything. They noted the information down, but, they took very little notice of his theory. Apparently he's been in there before complaining about the guys, who are twins, and they are a bit tired of the story."
"So what do you have planned here?"
"I'm not really sure, but C-Daddy seems to think they and the other Serpents are holed up here, and might even have Sarah with them. I'm guessing he wants to make sure, and then call in the police with evidence they can act on. He's chosen to go look around in the toy store for clues, and I to the Food Court."
"That's it? That's your plan, and you are basing it on the word of homeless dude?"
"Leo, I know it sounds crazy. It does to me, too, but I trust this guy. He is definitely more than he seems. Not only did he rescue me from the weird twins, but they are scared of him, Leo, and he knows things about them, things the police don't even know. We have to give him a chance. It's not like the police aren't following their own leads."
Leo thought a moment and then nodded.
"Okay."
Cadence suspected the reason he gave in so easily was because of his innate distrust of law enforcement. She hoped this distrust could buy her enough time to check out C-Daddy's plan, although she was a bit surprised at her eagerness to do so. What happened to her careful, conservative ways? All she had wanted was the donation promised to her toy drive, and now here she was in the middle of some bizarre adventure.
"Let's go get something to eat and see what happens," Cadence said. "If C-Daddy is the crackpot you think he is, then nothing will happen, and all we will do is eat. If not, and he's actually on to something, then we might just find Sarah. It's worth a shot."
By this time, Cadence and Leo had made their way up to the Food Court. They headed for Decoria's Diner upon Leo's insistence. He didn't need to clock in for half an hour, but he wanted her to "check out" his new place of business. Cadence walked up to the counter and placed her order for a chef salad with chicken. Leo got a hamburger and fries.
They sat together at a table beside a beautiful fountain complete with a surrounding wishing well. Several children played around the outside. Some threw in pennies for luck, while others splashed in the cool water with eager chubby hands.
"What are we looking for?" Leo asked, interrupting the scene.
"I have no earthly idea, and I don't even know if I'm in the right spot. I figure I will just play it by ear."
Leo laughed and acted like he was going to comment, but no words escaped his mouth. Instead it fell open in shock, and his eyes stared incredulously at the fountain.
Cadence followed his gaze. There standing in the middle of the spraying water, was a woman of surpassing beauty. Long amber curls surrounded pale skin, and bright glassy blue eyes shown from an ageless face. She wore a shimmering blue gown that flowed with the water, but seemed untouched by it. Red lips parted to show perfectly white teeth. Her hand was held out before her as though bidding someone to take it, and that someone she was gazing at was Leo.
| Author Notes |
Thank for the artwork, " Green Fountain" by GaliaG. It is beautiful and inspiring, and adds to the meaning of the chapter.
Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
End of last post:
Cadence followed his gaze. There standing in the middle of the spraying water, was a woman of surpassing beauty. Long amber curls surrounded pale skin, and bright glassy blue eyes shown from an ageless face. She wore a shimmering blue gown that flowed with the water, but seemed untouched by it. Red lips parted to show perfectly white teeth. Her hand was held out before her as though bidding someone to take it, and that someone she was gazing at was Leo.
*****
New Post:
Every man and woman in the Food Court were spellbound by the presence of the beautiful woman. The men longed for her to hold her dainty hand towards them, and the women envied her beauty. No sound could be heard from the collective group except for an occasional gasp or sigh.
Cadence allowed herself be taken in for just a moment, and then slowly and deliberately struggled to control her thoughts. Having just gone through a similar situation with the twins, she knew what was going on and how to battle it. She stood up and addressed the woman in the fountain with a commanding voice.
"Leave us! You are not welcome here," she said.
The woman's attention shifted dramatically her way. Strong piercing eyes bored into Cadence's own, forcing her to turn her head away---but not to give up.
"You are in no position to order me to do anything," the woman said. "Not only can I come and go as I please in this place, but I am stronger than any mere mortal can hope to resist. I am Eris, Goddess of the Underworld, and you have no power or authority over me."
"I have heard of you," Cadence said, "and I'm not particularly impressed."
"Then you are a fool, and you are ill prepared to challenge me."
Eris began to laugh, and the sound flowed with the water that bathed her, sending a series of chills up and down Cadence's spine.
"Maybe I'm not your match, but I have friends who are," Cadence said.
She cupped her hands around her mouth and cried out for help. She had to trust C-Daddy to hear and come to her aide. She waited a moment for a response. Everyone around seemed to be waiting too, although they didn't know what they waited for.
"He isn't coming," Eris said.
She laughed, again, but the sound was harsher than before, and caused a few of the people in the crowd to stir and waken from her spell.
"We have captured your companion as easily as we did Sarah," she continued.
"I don't believe it. C-Daddy would never fall for your spells."
"No, you're right, he wouldn't. He's much too wary for illusion, but he does have a weakness. His kind heart was his downfall."
"What do you mean?" Cadence asked. "What have you done to C-Daddy?"
"I offered him a business deal, and he took it. We met up right after you two parted. He expressed a desire to have the child returned, much as you just did, though for the life of me I can't understand why. She's a bit of a nuisance, really, but there's no accounting for taste, as you mortals say."
"Where is she?"
"With my brothers," Eris said. "C-Daddy should have known better than to trust us, but apparently his association with you has made him careless. No matter, we have him captive now and have waited quite a long time to do so."
"If C-Daddy is all you wanted, then why still bother with us? There can't be anything we have that you need."
Disregarding Cadence's question, she began to look around the crowd again. Calmly, and with an irresistible power, she regained her composure and her control over the people. With the hint of a smile aimed at Cadence, she held her delicate hand towards Leo.
"Come," she bid, her pouty lips hardly seeming to move as she spoke.
Leo rose from the table, unknowingly knocking his food to the floor in the process. Cadence cried out and grabbed him firmly by the arm.
"Don't do it," she warned. "She's one of them."
"It's okay," Leo said. "I can hear her voice whispering in my ear. She is so beautiful, and she's offering to make me rich."
"We're not worried about money right now. We need to get Sarah."
"She says she will take me to her."
"I don't doubt that she will, but you can't listen to her," Cadence said. "She's lying, just like her brothers did to me and Sarah earlier. You're under a spell, Leo, fight back."
Leo looked at Cadence, his eyes glazed over with anger and deception. He jerked his arm free with superhuman strength, and lifted a fist up as though to strike, but, instead, he spat in her face and began to speak in a voice that was clearly not his own.
"You will never get what you seek," the voice said. "You see how easily I conquered this young mind? It is so simple when people have no hope. Bad lives make easy victims."
"Fight back," Cadence repeated to Leo. "I know you are still inside there. You aren't like the others. You have hope. I've given you that much through Student Council."
"What good do you possibly think your group can do for someone like me?" Leo asked. "That stuff you spout at school about how we can all be whatever we want no matter how we grew up means nothing, because at the end of the day we go home where we don't have anything. You give us false hope, but his woman offers so much more."
"You know that's not true. You've let her get in your head. Listen, Leo, I know you can hear me. Use that rebellious spirit you have to fight against her control."
"Give up," Eris said. "His will is gone, just like that. He will do whatever I want, and if you want him and that silly little girl back, then simply give us what we want."
"And I have no idea what that is."
"Maybe not," Eris said, "but you have the heart of someone who does."
"Who you now have in your custody."
"And who won't give us what we want without us using you to get it."
"I'm deeply flattered that you think I could make any difference with C-Daddy, but I'm afraid you have our relationship completely wrong. First of all, I just met the guy, and secondly, he's way too old for me."
"He is both younger and older than he seems, and love has no age limit. Even I understand that."
"I think you are so desperate to get what you want out of C-Daddy that you are grasping at straws. He isn't in love with me, or I with him. We met casually and accidentally a few days ago as we sought to meet with the same man. There is nothing more between us than that. If you used Sarah to manipulate him, then it's because he's a normal person concerned for the safety of a kidnapped child."
"Believe what you want about your meeting with C-Daddy, but the truth is that your destiny is entwined with his, whether by choice or design."
Cadence looked around at the crowd. The whole place was completely silent as all eyes were trained on the drama unfolding in front of them. Some were still lured by Eris's spell, some were just fascinated, but all seemed to have no interest in helping her and Leo. She wanted to scream again for help, but didn't even know who to call.
Had the Serpents really captured C-Daddy, or was that just another part of their trickery? She couldn't imagine him allowing himself to get caught so quickly unless he did so as a ploy to get close to Sarah.
That had to be it! All Cadence had to do was keep the goddess lady busy and give C-Daddy time to work his own magic. She turned back to Eris, and found the woman's body now shimmering in a blue flame that the waters of the fountain did not quench.
"I'll make you a deal," Eris said. "You give yourself to me, and I will let your students go."
Eris reached her treacherous hand towards Cadence, a smile playing about her lips. She had a look of victory in her eyes, as though her offer was a foregone conclusion.
"You gave the same choice to C-Daddy and didn't keep your end of the bargain," Cadence said. "I may be ever so slightly gullible, but I'm not stupid."
"Okay, I'll grant you that," Eris said. "How about this then. I will let your Leo go, and we can stand here and watch him leave together."
"But what about Sarah?" Cadence asked as she continued stalling. "I'm not agreeing to anything with you until I see both students safe."
"I'll give her to you, too. I'll have my brothers bring here here and she can leave with Leo, but if I do, how will I know that you will keep your end of the bargain?"
"If you are as powerful as you claim to be, then you can handle one simple little teacher with no problem. Just remember, though, you can capture the body, but the heart has a will of its own, or do you know anything of the heart?"
"I have known love, Missy," Eris snapped back. Cadence could tell that she had hit a raw nerve.
"Oh, my gosh, you love him, don't you? That's what this is all about. C-Daddy told me that all four of you used to be friends, but you and he were more than that weren't you? You were lovers, but you changed and he didn't and you lost him. Wow, this is some sort of sick love triangle."
"That's absurd!" Eris said. "He is my enemy, and has caused great harm to my organization in so many ways. I don't love him, I hate him."
"So says the pathetic woman in the fountain."
Cadence stepped away from Leo and walked closer to Eris in an attempt to distract her.
"It hurts, doesn't it, to watch the man you love, a man who could be powerful and strong like you, living in a homeless shelter and consorting with commoners like me?"
For just a moment, Eris stood silent, her outstretched arm falling gently to her side. She seemed almost human, maybe even vulnerable.
A few uncertain seconds ticked by with no one saying a word, and then Eris's face changed back to an evil mask of hatred---the very picture of the woman scorned. Whatever had passed between her and C-Daddy in the distant past was left behind in the places that pain often hides.
"You will come with me now, willing or not," Eris cried, baring sharp teeth, her eyes red as hot coals.
She grabbed for Cadence's arm, but Cadence flung out her other hand and struck her in the face.
"That's about enough of that," a voice said.
They both looked around as a small unkempt man reached over and unplugged the fountain. Immediately, the lights went out, the water stopped, and the figure of the woman disappeared.
Cadence turned and looked at Leo to see that he was safe, and then collapsed into a chair. She had never been so glad for a conversation to end in her life.
| Author Notes |
Special thanks for the artwork, "Weird waters" by GaliaG
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
End of last post:
"You will come with me now, willing or not," Eris cried, baring sharp teeth, her eyes red as hot coals.
She grabbed for Cadence's arm, but Cadence flung out her other hand and struck her in the face.
"That's about enough of that," a small, unkempt man said.
He reached down and unplugged the fountain. Immediately, the lights went out, the water stopped, and the figure of the woman disappeared.
Cadence turned and looked at Leo to see that he was safe, and then collapsed into a chair. She had never been so glad for a conversation to end in her life.
*****
New Post:
"I'm sorry, Miss," Leo said, dropping his head into his hands. "I didn't mean what I said."
"I know," Cadence said, putting her arm around his shoulder. "The same thing happened to me earlier. I don't know who these people are, but they are something we aren't, and they have some sort of power that we aren't used to handling."
"Well I don't care who or what they are," Leo said, tears threatening to pour out of his eyes, "but I don't like being manipulated, and I won't let it happen again."
"I believe you," Cadence said. "Magic often disappears once the illusion is gone. It worked for me."
"She was pretty, though, wasn't she?" Leo asked, standing up and helping Cadence to her feet. "Why do all the crazy ones have to be pretty?"
"I don't know," Cadence said, shaking her head. "I would settle for understanding how we got mixed up in this whole crazy affair."
"I'm pretty sure it all started with you going off on your own to get that donation," Leo said.
"I can't argue with that," Cadence.
"Hey, what's going on?"
The familiar voice of Shanice burst out from behind them, Mia was close on her heels.
"How did you two get here?" Cadence asked. She had just about had enough of surprises for one day.
"Leo called us when he got here," Shanice explained. "He wanted to talk to us before his shift started about all the mess going on this afternoon."
"I got my cousin, Blair, to drop us off," Mia added. "She wanted to come get her nails done anyway. We were heading up here to meet him when we saw Leo go all nutso over some chick in the fountain. What's up with that, Bro?"
"Long story, Baby Sister," Leo replied.
He ran a nervous hand through his shortly cropped hair.
"Did it have anything to do with the people who took Sarah?" Shanice asked.
"Yeah, they were the same people," Cadence said.
"But there is something seriously weird going on with them," Leo added.
"Like what?" Mia asked. "Are they on something? I mean, that woman looked like she'd taken a whole bunch of something not right."
"I don't understand what was going on," Cadence explained, "but whatever it was, it was dangerous, and I think you kids need to go home where it's safe before something else bad happens."
"Where exactly will we be safe?" Mia asked. "If these people are after us, for whatever reason that is, then I'm guessing that the best thing to do is solve the problem once and for all. Looks like that crazy lady thinks you and the old dude are involved, and they want him something bad."
"Or maybe they want something he knows but won't tell," Leo offered, "and they think we are tight with him and can convince him to give it up."
"All I did was to try and help someone who had been hurt," Cadence said. "It seemed the right thing to do at the time, but it sure has landed us in a whole mess of trouble."
"It's not your fault," Shanice said. "He seems like a nice man and all, I mean for someone who has gotten us all mixed up in his fight."
"He actually is," Cadence agreed.
"Then why did you try to sell him out?" Leo asked. "You were all like, 'just take him and go.' That doesn't sound much like you, Miss."
"Maybe she was just scared," Mia said. "People say lots of things they don't mean when they are scared."
"I wasn't afraid, I was angry," Cadence said. "I don't have anything against C-Daddy, in fact, I rather like him, but I am tired of being involved in a fight I didn't start."
The students emphatically nodded their agreement, and then discussed their next step. After Cadence explained C-Daddy's original plan to go to the toy store on the second floor, they decided to head there together. Leo's boss gave him leave to take the night off in light of what everyone in the place had just seen occur. Cadence figured it was because she was half afraid that the lady in the fountain would return if Leo was anywhere around, and no one wanted to hear from her again.
It didn't take long for the group to go down the escalator and locate the mall's largest toy store as it seemed to be at the center of another huge commotion. There were screams and shouts that stood out even above the normal noise of the mall during the Christmas season. Alarmed, they ran towards the store, but were prevented from getting close by a huge crowd of people pressing in. The only way through it was to split up and wiggle in-between people like worms digging through soil.
Cadence was about halfway through when she heard the booming voice of a security officer demanding Leo to halt and go with him. She looked over her shoulder in time to see a large burly man with a closely shaved head hauling him to the side.
"Come with me, young man," the officer demanded. "I heard you were involved in an altercation in the Food Court."
"I was a victim," Cadence heard him telling the officer. She knew how much it had to hurt him to say those words. A victim in the streets was considered weak -- an easy mark. He wouldn't have said it in front of his peers.
"That crazy lady in the fountain was coming after me," he further explained. "Go find her if you want someone to mess with. Just let me go so I can go find my friends. They might be in a lot of trouble."
"Or causing trouble," the security guard sneered. "You gang members are nothing but trouble. You'd think that you would give it a break during the Christmas season, at least."
"I'm not in a gang," Leo snarled.
The flash of temper on Leo's part was not a good move on his part. The last Cadence saw of the Vice President of the Student Council was in handcuffs and being hauled off.
| Author Notes |
Special thanks for the artwork, "Golden Reflections" by farmgramma which has added to the meaning of my chapter!
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
End of the last post:
"I'm not in a gang," Leo snarled, showing his quick temper. Not a good move on his part. The last Cadence saw of the Vice President of the Student Council was in handcuffs and being hauled off.
New Post begins:
"That's one less on our side," Cadence muttered to herself as she looked ahead and caught Shanice's eye. She had seen it too.
Frustrated that she wasn't in the position to go to Leonardo's rescue, Cadence forced herself to press forward. The closer she got to the store, the more clearly and distinctly the screams became. She could definitely make out two voices. One was the terrified cries of a girl, a voice she had to assume came from Sarah, and the other was a man's. She didn't need to be told to whom that one belonged.
She halted for just a moment while despair and self-doubt poured over her like an icy cold stream, filtering into the hidden places of her soul where hope once lived. What could she possibly do against such evil?
A moment later, she thought she heard Sarah call out her name amongst her other cries. Maybe it was just a trick of her own mind, or the haphazard bouncing of sound off of walls, but it was enough to spur Cadence back into action. Flinging despair aside like an old used rag, Cadence resurged towards the store that held her student and new friend hostage.
"Stop pushing," a rather large woman in front of her said, throwing an elbow back and catching Cadence painfully in her right rib cage.
"That's my student, Sarah, in there screaming," Cadence cried, taking advantage of the woman's position and squeezing ahead of her. "This isn't a sale, you know, there are real people in there getting hurt."
"And you are going to help them?" The larger woman asked. "You kinda little to do much."
"Help me then," Cadence said. "Sarah's been kidnapped by some really dangerous people, and she is calling for me."
"Come on," the woman said, throwing up strong arms and knocking people to the side like a linebacker through a football field. "You just stick with me, honey, Clara will get you through."
True to her word, Clara began to make quick work of getting ahead of the pack. Some she shoved aside, not really caring where they landed, and others wisely just got out of her way.
Noticing their teacher's progress, Mia and Shanice picked up their pace, pushing forward in their own personal frenzies. Nothing was going to stop the Student Council officers from reaching their goal. Nothing except, of course, an explosion. In an instant before a rather small bomb was detonated, Cadence glimpsed C-Daddy hanging from the upper level of the store by a rope tied around his wrists. He had to be in a great deal of pain, but all his face showed was unbridled fury. He seemed to be sporting quite a few new bruises, leading Cadence to believe that he had not succumbed as easily to Eris as she had made it seem.
Next she noticed Sarah strapped to a chair beside a doll display. She looked unharmed, but clearly terrified. There was no telling what she had been through over the past several hours, and the sight of her helpless made Cadence's blood run cold in one second and begin to boil in the next. She took a deep breath and cried out Sarah's name so loud that the undead could have heard her.
Sarah looked her way and her eyes opened wide in surprise and relief, but then there was a blinding flash and deafening boom that knocked everyone to their knees, their hands clinched frantically over deafened ears. It did, however, very little damage to the building itself except to fill the toy store with smoke--almost as though it was a created diversion, but by whom?
Cadence fell to the ground on top of a pile of other people. She could feel them struggling to stand beneath her. Fueled by adrenaline, Cadence elbowed her way to her feet and headed towards Sarah and C-Daddy. Just before she reached them, she saw a man on the balcony above. He pulled a knife out of his pocket and cut the rope that held C-Daddy, who fell on top of the dolls with a yell and a crash. The man on the balcony, who looked strangely similar to the unkempt janitor who had turned off the fountain earlier, tipped his baseball cap at Cadence before slipping quickly away.
"Check on C-Daddy," Cadence instructed Shanice as her student approached, her hands still held protectively over her ears. "I've got Sarah."
"I'm so sorry I caused all this trouble," Sarah cried as Cadence untied her arms from around the upset chair.
| Author Notes |
A special thanks for the work, "Solitude" by cleo85
Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer Ongoing Fantasy/Sci Fi story about an inner city teacher, Cadence Uriel, from Baltimore who tries to help her students by chasing after a promised donation to the school's toy drive. Through a series of adventures that ultimately culminate in a showdown of good against evil, Cadence finds more than the donation she had bargained for. |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Last of Old Post:
"I'm so sorry I caused all this trouble," Sarah cried as Cadence untied her arms from around the upset chair.
"This isn't your fault," Cadence assured her. "The Serpents are the ones to blame."
The Story continues:
"They said that my mother was at police headquarters arranging for a transfer of custody," Sarah said.
"She was finally going to take me home to live with her in North Baltimore. Miss Uriel, I didn't even stop to think about Daddy and how much it would hurt him to lose me. All I could think of was seeing my mother again."
"That's okay," Cadence said, "we all make mistakes, and falling for lies is one of the most common ways of all to be deceived."
Sarah nodded, her tired eyes betraying the ordeal she had been through. She took in a long ragged gasp and looked over at three approaching figures.
"How is she?" C-Daddy asked, making his way clumsily to Cadence. Mia and Shanice were close behind, shards of the rope that had bound him in Shanice's hand.
"I'm fine," Sarah answered, rising to her feet and brushing debris off her jeans.
"Did they hurt you?" Shanice asked.
"Not really. Most of the time I didn't really know what was going on, kind of like being both awake and asleep. I remember following the twins out of the school, and listening to their lies. I kept waiting for my mother to show up like they promised, but she never did, and when I figured out what was going on, there was nothing I could do about it. I do remember talking to you on the phone, though, Miss Uriel. After that, it's all been a blur up until I came to in the toy store tied to a chair."
"And they didn't hurt you?" Cadence pressed.
"No."
"Then why were you screaming like a crazy girl?" Mia asked, hands on hips. "We heard you half-way across the mall."
"You would have had to have been here to really understand," Sarah explained. "The twins were beating C-Daddy, and threatening to kill all of you once you showed up."
"Is that why you were screaming, too?" Shanice asked C-Daddy.
"I wasn't screaming," C-Daddy said. "I was suggesting loudly that the twins stop hitting me with canes like I was a pinata."
"Very loudly," Sarah added, "but he was also demanding they let me go since they had him. I thought it was sweet under the circumstances."
"I wonder why they didn't," Mia said.
"Because they want me," Cadence replied quietly, "and I don't understand why."
"Is that what they've said?" Mia asked.
"In so many words, but there is more to it than what they said, it's what they haven't. They have thrown out hints, like wanting a 'complete package' and linking me with C-Daddy. Either they think I'm more important than I am, or there is something C-Daddy isn't telling us."
"Sounds like my cue to speak," C-Daddy said. "First of all, let me thank everyone for coming to our aid, and I'm sincerely glad Sarah has been rescued. I'm sorry she has been used as a pawn, but the Serpents aren't known for compassion or playing fair.
"Cadence, you are right, there is more to this story than meets the eye, but I'm not at liberty to discuss just what that is yet. For now, I have something for you."
They all watched as he took a large brown envelope from beneath his shirt and hand it to Cadence.
"This is the package that was stolen from me," he said. "I found it hidden in the closet they put me in when I was first captured. I wasn't there long, but discovered it filled with the Serpents' belongings. As I suspected, they have been living at this mall for some time. Luckily, I managed to look around a bit and secret the package away before they returned. I want you and the kids to get out of here with it and make your way to Destiny's Angel. Don't stop until you get there. I will catch up with you as soon as I can."
"I'm really glad you found it, but I'm no longer worried about that donation," Cadence said. "I just want to get everyone out of here safely, and to get you and Sarah medical help."
"There's way more to this package than a donation, or hadn't you figured that out by now?" C-Daddy said. "Take the kids and the package and get out of here as quickly as you can."
"But what about you?" Candace asked. "You really need to see a doctor this time."
"I have some business to attend to first," he said, pointing towards the twins. "Now hurry and go. This place is not safe for any of you."
"It's not safe for you either," Cadence said. "These people have beat you up twice and hung you off an upper floor like a puppet. I'm not so sure you should give them a third go at you."
"The first time they caught me off guard, and the second time was strategy on my part to find Sarah."
"What did I tell you guys?" Cadence asked.
"I know," Shanice responded, flashing a smile, "but I have to agree with Miss Uriel, C-Daddy. Even if you were at your best, I don't think you could take these guys, and you are definitely not at your best."
"Which is the best guise of all, my dear child. It's always best to make your enemy think you are weaker than you are--that's when they make their biggest mistakes. I'm not a person to underestimate, and neither, you'll find, is your teacher. Now go before it's too late."
| Author Notes |
Special thanks for the artwork, "Apprehension" by cory.still
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
By davisr (Rhonda)
Cadence tucked the package inside her coat and turned to Sarah.
"Can you walk?"
"Yes," Sarah answered. "I'm fine. I just want to get out of here."
"Follow me, then," Cadence said, motioning for the students to follow.
She headed for a door tucked away on the side of the toy store where she felt they could escape without the notice of enemy eyes. They stumbled a few times on debris from the explosion, but managed to stay on their feet long enough to reach the outdoors and into the waiting arms of rescue workers.
Cadence summarized what happened to the Paramedic who walked them to an ambulance. He nodded and then explained that they would have to transport Sarah to a hospital to be examined as she was a kidnap victim. Sarah didn't put up much of a fight as she really wasn't sure what had happened to her during her captivity.
"I'll see you soon," Cadence told Sarah as they loaded her onto the ambulance. "Hang in there."
"I will," she replied with a brave smile, "and thanks for coming for me."
"No thanks required, I'm just sorry you had to go through such a terrible experience," Cadence said, "but you're safe now, and I'll see you as soon as I can. For now I need to go find Leo, and then deliver that ridiculous package C-Daddy handed me. I don't understand what's going on with it, but I have a feeling the nonsense will end when get where it to Nick Collins."
"Good luck," Sarah said, "and don't worry about me. I'm stronger than this---we all are."
"We have to go," one of the paramedics said gently. "We'll take care of her, I promise."
Cadence nodded and backed up. The other kids called out their goodbyes as the ambulance pulled away.
Cadence turned to Shanice and Mia as soon as the ambulance was out of sight.
"You two stay here with the authorities," she said. "They will see to it that you get home safely. I'm going back in."
"For Leo?" Shanice asked, although she knew the answer.
"Yes, for Leo,"
"Well, you're not going without us," Shanice said. "We haven't come this far to get left behind now."
"I'm not even sure they will let me back in," Cadence said. "They are evacuating the building."
"They haven't evacuated Leo," Shanice said. "I'm guessing they are holding him hostage inside like Sarah and C-Daddy."
"Which is why I'm going back in," Cadence said. "But I can't put you two into any further danger."
"Danger is already here," Mia said, "and I'm not talking about the after effects of the explosion, either."
"I know what you mean," Cadence said. "The Serpents aren't finished with this fight."
"Yeah," Mia agreed, "and they set on picking us off one at a time just like they did Leo and Sarah."
"And C-Daddy," Shanice added.
"Okay, we can stay together, but only because we don't have time to come up with a better plan,"
Cadence said, "and because I don't want to have to come looking for any of you later."
"Thanks," Mia said sardonically. "We love you, too."
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, don't worry about it, we're all on edge right now."
"So, where do you think we should we start looking?" Shanice asked, changing the subject and easing the tension.
"Last time we saw Leo, he was taken into custody by the mall security," Cadence said. "I guess we should try and find their office."
"Do you think the security guards are part of the Serpents?" Mia asked.
"That's my guess," Cadence answered. "It would make sense as to how the Serpents have been able to run their organization from here, and how the twins were able hide Sarah and C-Daddy."
"Wait," Mia said, throwing up her hand. "Look who's coming our way."
"It's the janitor who turned off the fountain and cut C-Daddy loose," Cadence said. "I wonder what he wants with us."
"Maybe we should run," Shanice suggested.
"No," Mia said, putting her hand on Shanice 's arm. "He's helped us before. Maybe he will again."
"Let's give him a chance," Cadence said. "He's already spotted us anyway."
The girls agreed, so they stayed where they were until the man approached.
"You ladies look like you could use some help," the man said folding his arms over his chest protectively.
Cadence noticed that he looked younger up close than he had at a distance, and had bright intelligent eyes that he tried to hide behind a veneer of indifference.
"Do you know where my student, Leonardo is?" Cadence asked. "He was taken by security officers not long after you unplugged the fountain."
"I know where everything and everyone is in this place," he answered.
"Can you take us to him?" Cadence asked.
"I can, but you'll have to follow close behind me. There's a whole lot of people that won't want us going back inside."
"But you can do it?"
"I said I could."
"But are you on our side?" Mia asked. "Miss, we don't know if we can trust this guy. For all we know he's just going to lead us into danger."
"You can trust me," the janitor said after a pause. "Yes, I work for the Serpents, but they don't control me as much as they think they do. I promise you, I will take you straight to Leonardo."
"To rescue him, or as captives ourselves?"
"I told you I'm on your side. Now either you believe me or you don't, but you'll have to make a decision quickly, because we're running out of time."
Cadence looked closely into the young man's eyes, hoping that she could read the truth hiding behind the amber. Instead, she found something she had not expected---recognition.
"Who are you?" She asked. "I know you from somewhere. Are you a former student of mine? If so, I'm afraid I don't remember your name."
"I'm Alvin," he replied. "I recognized you as soon as I saw you in the Food Court. I was wondering if you were going to remember me."
"I have a better memory for faces than names," Cadence said. "I'm sorry to meet again under these circumstances, but I can't argue with the fact that I am glad to see you."
"Yeah, likewise, but we can get caught up later. If you're coming with me, we gotta go."
Cadence looked quickly at the girls and got a nod from each. Sometimes a person just has to go with their intuition, and Cadence went with hers.
"Take us to Leo."
| Author Notes |
This is a fantasy novella about a high school chemistry teacher who is also the sponsor of the Student Council at Benjamin Franklin High School in inner city Baltimore. She and her officers receive an offer of a huge sum of money that will help her group fulfill the Christmas dreams of many of the kids in the area. Through a series of adventures, they finally have a show down with a group of gods who are trying to take over the world by sowing hate and despair. Special thanks for the artwork, "Spirals of Life" by Dick Lee Shia Baltimore .....Setting of most of the story Ellicott City ..... A quaint shopping district outside Baltimore where part of the story takes place Benjamin Franklin High School .....School Cadence where Cadence teaches Destiny's Angel ..... Store in Ellicott City owned by Nick Collins Time and Time Again ..... Charles' store next door to Destiny's Angel American Rescue Workers .....Shelter where C-Daddy lives Serpents ..... Bad Guys made up of gods and humans Henry/Hypnos .....Twin of Thantos: one of the bad gods - god of hypnosis and sleep Bram/Thantos ..... Twin of Hypnos: one of the bad gods - god of death Ares: Evil sister goddess C-Daddy ..... Homeless man who ends up at the center of the adventure Nick Collins ..... Mysterious Angel Donor. Owns store, "Destiny's Angel" Charles ..... Nick's son Alvin ..... Young man who works at the mall Barkley: Cab driver Cadence Uriel ..... 30 year old Chemistry teacher Shanice ..... Student Council president Leonardo (Leo) ..... Student Council Vice President Mia ..... Student Council Secretary Sarah ..... Student Council Treasurer |
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